What is the best advice you have ever been given? The advice I was given by André Bruwer. He told me if you start today,

Thabo Dithakgwe of Nasi Ditha Farming started farming at 13 with the donation of a pregnant heifer from his father. Today he inspires many, young and old, as a shining example that success in farming comes through hard work and determination. Peter Mashala visited him on his farm near Tosca outside Vryburg in the North West. 

What is the best advice you’ve ever been given? To make every opportunity one to remember and to give it your best shot. Is there

Gerswin Louw was the right man for commercial farmer Schalk Viljoen to bring in as a shareholder in Dasberg Farming, an agricultural transformation project in the Riviersonderend district of the Overberg. Livestock manager Gerswin has a solid background in sheep that he continuously grows while building his farming experience and his leadership skills. Gerswin says success in the agricultural world needs diligence, commitment and a lifelong passion for the job. 

June is mid-winter with 21 June being the shortest day and longest night of the year in the southern hemisphere. Summer crops like maize, soya beans, sunflower and sorghum are harvested in winter and June can be a busy month for crop farmers. It’s maintenance and catch-up time for livestock farmers who have planned for their herds and flocks to calve or lamb in late winter or early spring.

WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN? Make the best use of every opportunity you get. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD HAVE DONE

Wanting to grow produce is something that is either in your blood or it is not. It’s always been part of Raymond Koopstad’s make-up. Through perseverance he is now an export producer of deciduous fruit in the Witzenberg district, earning the respect of his peers. Gerrit Rautenbach paid him a visit.

WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER BEEN GIVEN? If you want to do something, do it now. For example, if you see that

Many farmers are specialists in their fields and Rudzani Sadiki, originally from Mokopane, Limpopo, was well on his way to becoming a poultry specialist when circumstances forced him into a completely different farming direction – farming oilseed crops. Not a man to allow change to put him off his stride, Rudzani adapted quickly and applied his mind to making a success of oilseed farming. He talks to Peter Mashala of African Farming about strategising and staying resilient.

WHAT IS THE BEST CAREER MOVE YOU HAVE MADE SO FAR? Switching from engineering to farming. I have never regretted doing this. YOUR BIGGEST SUCCESS

Farming seems to come easily to Gopolang Tladinyane and his sons, Motlapele and Reaobaka, who are happily dedicated to their family team and to their farming business. Gopolang knows the value of early learning in agriculture and finance, and has made his boys profit-sharers in the business. The Tladinyanes ‘talk farming’ to Peter Mashala of African Farming.