A mixed bag works well for Mandla and Johnson Mandlendoda, whose agricultural interests and activities – although separate – are tethered by family and business bonds. Their successful ventures embrace markets ranging from fresh produce to feedlots, and from tourism to mohair. The brothers ‘talk farming’ to Peter Mashala.
WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN? Cois Harman encouraged me and advised me to stick to what I know best and leave what I do not know.
We farm Angora goats and the winter is a less busy time for us. However, because the goats were shorn in March, their hair is growing back now – and to maintain good growth and quality, we’ve started dipping them.
A mixed bag works well for Mandla and Johnson Mandlendoda, whose agricultural interests and activities – although separate – are tethered by family and business bonds. Their successful ventures embrace markets ranging from fresh produce to feedlots, and from tourism to mohair. The brothers ‘talk farming’ to Peter Mashala.
WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN? Cois Harman encouraged me and advised me to stick to what I know best and leave
We farm Angora goats and the winter is a less busy time for us. However, because the goats were shorn in March, their hair is growing back now – and to maintain good growth and quality, we’ve started dipping them.
In 2002, farming veteran Abel Naphtaly found his way back to agriculture by accident while searching for a slaughter ox when his successful security company celebrated 10 years in business. The purchase not only renewed his love of farming, it also sparked a new flame – he has since developed a passion for the Santa Gertrudis cattle breed. He shared his story with Peter Mashala.
WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN? Never underestimate the power of networking. I learn a lot by interacting with other female farmers.
Dineo Mokgoshi was looking for an opportunity to invest her money in a business that would offer good returns. She never would have imagined a future as a fulltime farmer – until she was inspired by the story of a woman farmer who rose to the challenge and achieved great success in the world of agriculture. Dineo shares her own transformational journey with African Farming.
I am the founder and CEO of The Green Terrace in the Bapsfontein area of Gauteng. I grow fresh produce, including spinach, peppers and cabbages, using hydroponics systems in greenhouses. I use drip irrigation and automated fertigation to water and feed my crops. My harvests are currently marketed to retailers, wholesalers and processors.
Mbali Nwoko, founder and CEO of The Green Terrace, persevered despite some serious setbacks. She says when you find something you love and are passionate about, you should not let anything stand in your way. African Farming caught up with her at her new farm in Bapsfontein near Pretoria.
For Lindiwe Sithole, the new presenter of African Farming, Selina Pinky Hlabedi (Ma Pinky) is a woman of substance. “She is a respected member of the Agricultural community, but she’s also been through hard times,” Sithole points out about this Gauteng farmer. Hlabedi’s gritty determination paid off though, and today she’s a successful cattle and maize farmer. Sithole visited Hlabedi during the first episode of the new season of the show that airs Thursdays at 18:30 on Mzansi Wethu (channel 163, DStv).
“Ma Pinky’s incredible passion for farming has spread from Mzansi to the world, to the next generations,” said Lindiwe Sithole new presenter of the agricultural television show, African Farming. The second season of the series has started on Thursday 24 June at 18:30 on Mzansi Wethu (channel 163, DStv). In this episode Sithole visited Selina Pinky Hlabedi at Ba Kwa-Hlabedi Farming in Gauteng to hear about her cattle and maize operations.
Selina “Pinky” Hlabedi is not one to shy away from a challenge, even if it means starting over. In 2019 she suffered every stock farmer’s worst nightmare and was forced to sell all her animals – but a good woman won’t be kept down. Pinky has bounced back stronger and more determined than ever as she transforms her business, Ba Kwa-Hlabedi Farming, into a mixed farming operation.
WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER BEEN GIVEN? Create a good relationship with your neigbours, especially when you are new in a neighbourhood.
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