Livestock and poultry farmer Sizo Tshabalala encouraged aspiring farmers to focus on learning before chasing scale. Sizo shared his advice during a panel discussion at the recent Sasol Farmers’ Day held in Secunda.
By Maile Matsimela, digital editor at African Farming
He told the audience how he started with a R15 000 grant through a Sasol entrepreneurship programme in 2019 and gradually built a diversified farming business that today includes egg production and Boer goat stud herd.
“Entrepreneurship is faith in motion,” he told the audience.
His strongest advice was simple: Start small.
“Start small. When you start small, you make little mistakes. You don’t lose as much and you feel the lessons instead of being crushed by them.”
Sizo also cautioned farmers entering the stud breeding industry not to focus only on high animal prices. “We don’t just sell animals. We sell genetics.”
He explained that successful stud farming depends on accurate recordkeeping, including birth weights, parentage, fertility performance, health treatments and growth rates. These records ultimately determine the value of breeding stock and help farmers build reputable stud operations.
Also read: Imbizo 2026 | Farmer Sizo Tshabalala shares pain, perseverance and rising again
