This week African Farming shines the spotlight on Kutama Nicholas Huma and his father, Mashamaite Huma, from the village of Makgabeng in Limpopo. Farming under challenging communal conditions characterised by limited grazing land, rugged terrain and persistent tick pressure, the father-and-son team has built a thriving Meatmaster sheep and Boer goat enterprise through hard work, resilience and a commitment to quality livestock production. Their journey shows that with sound management, dedication and a clear vision, success is possible even in some of South Africa’s most demanding farming environments.
By Lebogang Mashala, editor at African Farming
Just at the foothills of the majestic Makgabeng Mountains in the village of Makgabeng, a few kilometres outside Bochum in Limpopo’s Blouberg Municipality, father-and-son farming duo Mashamaite and Kutama Nicholas Huma have built a thriving small-stock enterprise against the odds.
Farming under communal conditions characterised by limited grazing, challenging terrain and persistent livestock health threats, the pair have embraced a simple but effective philosophy: Focus on quality rather than quantity. Through strategic breeding, sound management and a commitment to continuous learning, they have transformed their flock of Meatmaster sheep and Boer goats into a productive and sustainable business that continues to grow.
The family’s livestock journey took a significant turn in 2017, when Mashamaite sold his herd of 65 cattle after his youngest child completed university.
“The cattle had served their purpose by helping me educate my children,” recalls Mashamaite.
He invested the proceeds in property and small-stock production, eventually establishing a flock of sheep and goats. However, the transition was not without its challenges.
Learning Through Experience
Like many emerging livestock producers, Mashamaiteinitially faced setbacks as he adapted to managing small stock. Disease outbreaks, parasites and predator losses tested his resolve. Rather than becoming discouraged, he viewed these challenges as learning opportunities.
With growing interest in the enterprise, his son Kutama became actively involved in the operation. Together, they began seeking information from fellow farmers, extension officers and industry training programmes to improve their management practices.
The father-and-son partnership soon recognised that productivity would depend not on flock size alone, but also on the quality and performance of their animals.
Also read: Crossbreeding results exceed all expectations for father-and-son farmers in Limpopo
Investing in Better Genetics
A key turning point came when Kutama and Mashamaite started focusing on superior genetics. They introduced quality breeding stock into their flock and adopted a more structured breeding programme aimed at improving fertility, growth rates and adaptability.
The choice of Meatmaster sheep proved particularly beneficial. The breed’s hardiness, adaptability and ability to perform under extensive conditions made it well suited to the rugged terrain and limited grazing resources of the Makgabeng area.
Their Boer goat enterprise followed a similar path, with careful selection of breeding animals helping to improve overall flock quality and marketability.
“We realised that a smaller number of high-performing animals can generate better returns than a large flock of poor-quality stock,” says Kutama.
Managing Challenges in Communal Areas
Communal farming presents unique challenges, including shared grazing lands, disease risks and limited control over breeding. Kutama and Mashamaite have addressed these issues through disciplined management and close monitoring of their animals.
Regular dipping and parasite control programmes have become a priority, particularly given the area’s heavy tick burden. They also pay close attention to animal health, nutrition and breeding records to ensure that only the best-performing animals remain in the flock.
The mountainous landscape, while challenging, has also helped shape a hardy and resilient flock capable of thriving under demanding conditions.
Also read: She quit her job and now owns 133 cattle and 147 goats: Meet Tlhalefo Dithebe
Continuous Learning Drives Success
One of Kutama and Mashamaite’s greatest strengths has been their willingness to learn and adapt. They regularly attend livestock information days, auctions and farmer training sessions to stay informed about new production practices and industry developments.
This commitment to learning has enabled them to make informed management decisions and continuously improve their operation.
For Kutama, the future of the business lies in building on the foundation already established by his father while embracing modern livestock production practices.
“We are always looking for ways to improve. Farming is constantly changing, and if you stop learning, you fall behind,” he says.
Also read: She slept in a tent to build her pecan nut empire: Sibongile Mabasa’s journey of determination
A Model for Emerging Farmers
Today, the father and son’s success story serves as an inspiration to other communal and emerging livestock farmers across Limpopo and beyond. Their experience shows that profitability in small-stock production is not determined by numbers alone, but also by sound management, strategic investment and a focus on quality.
By prioritising genetics, animal health and continuous improvement, they have built a sustainable enterprise capable of generating income under some of the province’s most challenging farming conditions.
Their journey is a reminder that in livestock farming, quality often delivers far greater rewards than quantity.
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