At African Farming, we intentionally seek out and share the stories of farmers who are building something meaningful on communal land, stories that often go unseen yet carry powerful lessons of resilience, innovation and hope. Legasa and Winnie Tlometsane’s journey is one such story.
By Maphuti Mongatane, Business Development Manager at African Farming
The Tlometsanes’ path into farming has been shaped by determination, a willingness to learn and a strong entrepreneurial spirit. It is a story of leaving behind city life in Gauteng for the sandy fields of Limpopo, where they are steadily building a sustainable farming operation from the ground up.
An Entrepreneurial Seed Planted Early
Winnie, who grew up in Kempton Park, developed a love for farming long before it became her livelihood. Even while living in the city, she grew watermelons and sweet peppers, selling them and carefully saving the money she earned.
Legasa mentions with a smile that despite him earning a stable salary at the time, Winnie somehow always had more savings than he did.
“That’s really where the love for farming came from,” Legasa says. “Winnie showed me that we could build something meaningful together. I was amazed at how she turned those small crops into real savings.”
Choosing Purpose Over City Comfort
After they got married, Legasa initially wanted to remain in the city for work. Winnie, however, believed their future lay elsewhere. She suggested leaving Gauteng and moving to Limpopo, where they could pursue what she loved most, farming, and build a life rooted in purpose rather than pressure.
The couple moved to Dennilton, Limpopo, settling on a 2,5-hectare plot of land belonging to Winnie’s father. The land had a house on it, which became their home. Though modest, it marked the beginning of their farming journey.
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Five Goats that Changed Everything
Their original plan was to focus purely on crop production, but shortly after moving onto the land, a cousin approached them with five goats, asking if they could look after them since they had space.
Winnie quickly assessed the risk and suggested that instead of simply caring for the goats, they should buy them outright.
“If something happened to those goats, we would be responsible anyway,” she reasoned. “It made more sense to take ownership.”
That decision, though not part of the original plan, became the unexpected starting point of their livestock journey.
Learning Through Challenges, Not Giving Up
From those five goats, Legasa and Winnie slowly grew their herd. Like many first-time livestock farmers, they faced challenges, particularly with ticks and foot rot, caused by wet and muddy sleeping conditions.
The goats slept on damp ground, especially during the rainy season, which led to infections and discomfort. The couple sought advice and began exploring solutions.
They are now planning to build a raised slatted sleeping platform, a simple yet effective structure that allows waste to fall through, keeps the sleeping area dry and significantly reduces the risk of foot rot.
This kind of small, practical intervention can make a world of difference and highlights exactly where targeted support can help emerging farmers strengthen their operations.
Also read: Quality over quantity: The inspiring journey of Vhutolo Khangale and his pure Nguni goat genetics
Cattle as a Financial Safety Net
In addition to goats, the Tlometsanes have invested in a small number of cattle, which they view as a form of financial security.
The cattle are not farmed for quick returns, but rather as a strategic buffer. At the beginning of each year, they sell one animal to cover essential expenses such as school fees and household bills.
It is a practical, disciplined approach to farming, one that ensures the farm supports the family, not the other way around.
From a Handful to a Sustainable Enterprise
Legasa and Winnie’s enterprise has grown from owning just a handful of goats to selling a handful of goats every month to people in their local community. Their cattle provide financial stability, and their farming operation continues to evolve with every lesson learnt.
Their story is a reminder that farming on communal land is not only possible but can also be productive and sustainable when driven by commitment and knowledge.
A Call to Other Communal Farmers
At African Farming, we aim to tell more stories like this. We encourage farmers working on communal land to reach out, connect with us, and allow us to visit, learn from them and share their stories with a wider audience.
To Legasa and Winnie Tlometsane, we wish you all the best as you continue growing your farming enterprise. Your journey is inspiring, and it deserves to be told.
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