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June 2025
BEING NOMINATED AS ONE OF THE THREE FINALISTS IN THE 2024 POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL FARMER OF THE YEAR COMPETITION WAS A CAREER HIGHLIGHT FOR ALFRED GONDO (33). RECEIVING THE AWARD IN THIS CATEGORY WAS A DREAM COME TRUE FOR THIS YOUNG FARMER FROM KOORNFONTEIN IN THE MIDDELBURG REGION IN MPUMALANGA.
After he completed his school career, Alfred was not interested in farming. He started working in construction before becoming a security guard for two years. It was only while working at a leading provider of food service products that his interest in agriculture was truly ignited. He started farming in the 2015/2016 season, motivated by his late father’s passion for farming.
In his first year, he planted only the 20 ha his father had left to the family. However, his dedication and determination to succeed are clear, and last season he planted more than 100 ha – 62 ha of soybeans and 42 ha of white maize. Even though the climatic conditions were problematic, he still managed to realise a yield of 7,7 t/ha on the maize and 1,1 t/ha on the soybeans. He also plants spinach as a cash crop.
To Alfred, his success is greatly thanks to the Phahama Grain Phakama (PGP) team, who has invested so much in showing him the ‘farming ropes’. Although he has gained much knowledge and skills through the Farmer Development Programme (FDP), he knows there is so much more to learn.
Alfred’s love for farming motivates him to dream big, and he plans to scale up to 500 ha within three years. He has leased additional land from a neighbouring farmer, but because he knows that healthy soil means a healthy crop, he is taking the time to improve the soil health before planting this land. This young farmer also wants to buy more farming equipment to increase his efficiency and productivity.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT FARMING?
I love planting and growing crops. It is wonderful to see your hard work turning into produce. My love for farming probably comes from my father, who was a farm worker but also planted maize and vegetables in their vegetable garden.
NAME SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE?
There are times when we lack enough finances to buy production inputs, implements, fencing materials and other necessities for the farm. Any loss due to hail or drought is always difficult, but even the bad things like theft, finances and bad weather cannot steal my love for farming.
HOW DO YOU ASSIST YOUR COMMUNITY?
I am mentoring young farmers and teaching them how to plant both maize and soybeans. I hope I can show them how rewarding farming can be. I also hire workers from the community when I need more labourers, which helps with job creation. If I expand my hectares, I can hire even more workers. I also help the neighbouring farmers with mechanisation.
Alfred’s three top tips for young farmers:
Farm: Koornfontein
Nearest town: Middelburg
Region: Mpumalanga
Size: Planted 100 ha
Type of farming operation: Mixed – crops (maize and soybeans), and livestock (cattle and goats)
PGP'S CONTRIBUTION
Training courses completed:
Has completed several courses, including:
A mentor’s view:
Jerry Mthombothi, regional development manager at the Mbombela office, says that Alfred is focussed on improving and growing as a farmer. ‘He has excellent knowledge of soil correction and follows the correct production practices. He also invests his profit back into the farming operation.’
Publication: June 2025
Section: Pula/Imvula
Author: BY LOUISE KUNZ, ASSISTANT EDITOR
