From our editor: More than just events – these are platforms for progress

This past week has been nothing short of inspiring.

By Lebogang Mashala, editor at African Farming

We kicked things off with the African Farming Production and Money Matters for Farmers workshop, hosted in partnership with the Vaal University of Technology at their Vanderbijlpark campus, just outside Vereeniging in Gauteng. It was a powerful and engaging day, filled with insightful presentations and practical discussions led by some of the country’s top farmers.

What stood out even more, however, were some of the exciting initiatives that African Farming has been quietly developing with the university. These are meaningful, forward-looking interventions that I believe will significantly benefit emerging and developing farmers. I look forward to sharing more details on these in the near future.

From Vanderbijlpark, we hit the road straight to Morokweng for the MDS Agricultural Expo, a journey of nearly 600km that saw us arriving at 1 am the following morning. Somewhere along that stretch, between Wolmaransstad and Vryburg, with rain pounding the windscreen and visibility reduced to almost nothing, it became clear this was more than just a road trip; it was a test of commitment.

Pulling into Morokweng in the early hours, exhausted but determined, there was a quiet understanding: This is what it takes to build agriculture in rural South Africa.

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Flooded Roads, Not Broken Spirits

By morning, reports confirmed widespread flooding in areas such as Kuruman and Vryburg. The Bloemhof Dam was overflowing, causing major disruptions and road closures. The N14 between Vryburg and Kuruman was completely shut down, affecting movement across the region, including those intending to attend the expo.

At first glance, the empty seats at the event told a story of disruption. Many could simply not make it through. But as the day unfolded, through conversations, exchanges and shared insights, it became clear that success is not always measured by numbers. Sometimes, it is about those who do make it and what they take away.

A Promising Start Against the Odds

Despite the challenges, the inaugural MDS Agricultural Expo proved to be an impressive and inspiring event. Credit must go to the organisers for delivering a well-executed show under difficult circumstances.

What left a lasting impression on me was the vision and commitment of Duncan Serapelwane. His efforts to uplift Morokweng, a remote village deeply rooted in agriculture, are commendable. The area has produced several successful commercial farmers, including Thabo Dithakgwe, Kehentse Mosimanyane and Dr Senatle, among others.

These are individuals who have transitioned from smallholder beginnings to operating at a commercial level.

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Raising the Bar in Bonsmara Breeding

Duncan himself continues to raise the bar. His Bonsmara herd is among the best, recently achieving a milestone sale of a bull for R500 000, a first for a black-owned Bonsmara herd. Standing among farmers and hearing that figure being discussed so matter-of-factly was powerful. For many young farmers present, it was more than just a price – it was proof of what is possible.

Equally encouraging is the way young people in the area are drawing inspiration from leaders like Duncan and Christopher Melamu. One of the most striking sights was seeing young farmers gathered around livestock pens – not casually observing, but critically assessing structure, muscle and breed traits.

These were not spectators; these were future breeders, already fluent in the language of genetics.

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Turning Genetics Into Real Value

This was especially evident among small stock farmers, particularly Boer goat breeders, who are producing exceptional quality animals and achieving impressive market prices. There was a quiet confidence among them – speaking about bloodlines and past sales not as a boast, but as a reflection of the value that comes with focused genetic improvement.

At last year’s Morokweng Farm Camp, goats were selling for between R10 000 and R30 000 – clear evidence that the market is responding.

From Humble Beginnings to Big Possibilities

While the inaugural expo may not have attracted large crowds, its potential is undeniable. Even the North West MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, Bitsa Lenkopane, commended the initiative as a powerful example of village-based economic participation, local impact and meaningful returns on government investment.

Every great platform starts somewhere. Nampo Harvest Day itself did not begin at the scale we see today, yet it has grown into one of the largest agricultural exhibitions in the Southern Hemisphere. The MDS Expo has the potential to follow a similar path.

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From Nine Goats to a National Footprint

As if the week couldn’t get any better, Monday saw us back on the road again – this time to witness the official launch of the Mathuba Genetics Farm Academy. This marked a significant milestone for Emmanuel Modau, whose journey is nothing short of remarkable.

From humble beginnings as a general worker in a furniture shop, to starting with just nine goats, Emmanuel has built what is now known as Mathuba Genetics, a respected operation with three stud herds, including Savanna and Indigenous Veld Goats, as well as Bosvelder sheep in the heart of a village called Ha-Ravele in Makhado.

Standing there at the launch, one couldn’t help but reflect on that journey. It is a reminder that many great agricultural enterprises do not begin with abundance, but with vision, persistence and the courage to start small.

The Power of Consistency and Vision

Reflecting on the week, it is clear that individuals like Duncan Serapelwane and Emmanuel Modau are more than just successful farmers; they are builders of ecosystems, catalysts for change and living proof of what is possible through commitment, perseverance and consistency.

They certainly inspired me. And I hope their stories inspire the entire country.

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