Forty-nine-year-old Nozuko Cezula moved from being an educator to a cattle farmer.
By Maile Matsimela, digital editor at African Farming
The KwaZulu-Natal-based Nozuko Cezula runs her operation on a government acquired 93-hectare Tafelkop farm in Greater Kokstad, Harry Gwala District, operating under Nozuko Farming.
How did this teacher get into farming?
Nozuko owned a tractor while she was still a teacher and used to secure government contracts where her tractor ploughed for farmers in the area. It was while busy with this work that the idea of one day moving into farming full-time was born.
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Her farming journey began when she moved to the farm in 2011/2012, starting from scratch through the government’s recapitalisation programme that provided her with 50 Beefmaster cattle.
The breakthrough came through substantial support from the Agribusiness Development Agency (ADA), which provided R2.2 million in financial assistance between 2022 and 2024. This funding enabled her to purchase Beefmaster cattle, open heifers, bulls and essential infrastructure including a storage shed.
200 pregnant cows
Today, Nozuko’s livestock portfolio is impressive. She currently has 200 pregnant breeding cows, two bulls and 50 heifers. Her expansion plans are ambitious. She aims to grow her herd to 400 breeding cows. “I want to grow big,” she states with confidence that reflects her journey from uncertainty to agricultural leadership.
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The farm’s livestock operations are strategically managed, with calves weaned at 240-250kg before being taken to market. Cezula supplies 50 live weaners annually to Karan Beef in Maritzburg during weaning season.
Her commitment to proper employment practices is evident in her staff complement of 21 workers, including six permanent employees who receive Unemployment Insurance Fund coverage and are remunerated according to national labour laws.
The recognition of her livestock success came at the Phezukomkhono Female Farmer Awards recently, where Nozuko Farming won the export category prize of R100 000, plus the overall winner award of R100 000, totalling R200 000 in recognition.
Keep an eye on www.africanfarming.com for the next parts of Nozuko’s story, which will cover her flock of over 200 Meatmaster sheep, her grain farming, and the challenges she faces at the farm.
Also read:
Investing in genetics: How Beefmaster farmer Dr Lesia built a thriving enterprise
Lessons from the ground: Building a livestock business on communal land
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