The rainy season is here! The rush to vaccinate animals on time and get the fields ready for planting has
begun. African Farming caught up with goat farmer Thabo Dithakgwe from the North West.

Despite limited resources, Goodman Ginyigazi and Columbus Solani have faced the challenge of farming on communal land head-on. Thanks to their determination, the two farmer friends are making waves in the wool industry and proving that communal farmers can achieve commercial success. Peter Mashala found out more.

1. What is the best advice you have ever been given? Love what you do and do what you love. I’m a product of commercial

Patrick Sekwatlakwatla has played a significant role in the beef sector, introducing and developing new players to mainstream commercial farming, for more than 25 years. He has been instrumental in establishing impactful programmes that help empower emerging farmers in South Africa. Peter Mashala spoke to Patrick, who is also South Africa’s first black cattle judge.

Neo Leburu, Ganyesa, North West Most of my ewes are pregnant and some have already started lambing. We have given the goats Multivax-P Plus, which

WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN? My dad has always encouraged me to be independent and go for what I want. Never

Tshepiso Mametja was fresh out of school when she started farming a 1ha patch on her parents’ farm in Trichardtsdal near Tzaneen. She tells African Farming editor Peter Mashala how she’s managed to conjure up an award-winning diversified 287ha enterprise supplying high-value vegetables to top retailers.

WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN? Agriculture is a numbers game, so, whatever you do, do it big. Big doesn’t mean many

Eric Mauwane has had his fair share of setbacks. But thanks to the guidance of mentors and the kindness of neighbours, he has survived the tough times and is now exploring opportunities to supply fresh produce for the international market. Eric tells Peter Mashala how a detour from his original plan to farm pigs turned him into a pepper champ.

WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN? My dad told me that the earliest bird catches the fattest worm. Even today I still

Nonhlanhla Gumede-Shabalala gave up a blossoming career in banking to help her father through a crippling drought in 2010. The 35-year-old has not looked back since and is now the proud owner of a flourishing sugar cane farm worth an estimated R10 million, writes Peter Mashala.