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August 2025
| LOUISE KUNZ, ASSISTANT EDITOR, PULA |
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THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE GRAIN SA FARMER OF THE YEAR COMPETITION IS NOT ABOUT WINNING, BUT ABOUT CELEBRATING THE LEARNING, GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT AND HARD WORK OF THE THOUSANDS OF FARMERS WHO ARE PART OF THE FARMER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (FDP).
After the judging panel travelled nearly 6 000 km to visit all the nominees. These farmers were selected as the top achievers for 2025:
Botlhale Jacob Tshabalala (35) farms in the Lichtenburg region in North West. He decided to join his father on the farm in 2013 after completing his studies in electrical engineering and fitting and turning, and he has never looked back. To Botlhale, increasing his agricultural knowledge is key to being a successful farmer. This is why he attends the PGP study group meetings in the area on a regular basis.
His mentor, Du Toit van der Westhuizen, the regional development manager in North West, has also played a significant role in the development of his farming operation. Maize, sunflower and small white beans are produced at Driehoek, and he also has a commercial Brahman herd.
Mpho Patrick Munya (44) not only dreams of being a recognised successful farmer but is also committed to making a difference in the farming industry. He mentors aspiring farmers from Gauteng and North West, and also hosts Unisa students on his farm for their practical training.
Although he has a masters’ degree in business management and over 20 years of experience in the corporate and agricultural environment, his passion for farming eventually led him back to his roots. In 2020, he started producing maize on his farm, Vlakfontein in the Magaliesburg area. He joined Grain SA in 2023 and, under the guidance of Du Toit van der Westhuizen, has been making strides as a new era commercial farmer.
He is also a recognised Boran and Droughtmaster stud farmer.
At just 31, Simphiwe Senzeko Mabuza (31) is the youngest finalist in this year’s competition. He produces maize and soybeans on his farm, Mooiplaats, in the Ermelo district in Mpumalanga.
He has been a member of Grain SA since 2018 and is mentored by Chris de Jager and the regional development manager, Graeme Engelbrecht from Grain SA’s regional office in Dundee. His father, Shadrack Mabuza, ignited his passion for farming. He wants to continually expand his agricultural knowledge and hopes to inspire the youth to develop an interest in agriculture, and he would love to be a mentor for developing farmers.
Madinda Matshinini (33) worked alongside his father for a few years before he passed away in 2022. He then had to step in and take over the 435 ha farm, Naudeskop, near Bethlehem in the Free State.
Under the guidance of his mentor, Jacques Roux, regional development manager in the Free State, Madinda produces maize, sunflower and soybeans and has a Bonsmara herd. He is an active member of the Kaallaagte farming association and also grows vegetables, which are sold in the community.
Nkosana Mtimkulu (41) farms at Amantle near Zeerust in North West. He produces sunflowers, soybeans and small white beans under the guidance of his mentor, Du Toit van der Westhuizen. His parents’ resilience shaped his journey into agriculture.
After he left the city life and a career in sales and marketing behind, he was determined to create something from ground level. He joined Grain SA two years ago and has benefitted from study group sessions and other growth opportunities presented through the Farmer Development Programme.
Thwala Jacob Mlungisi (44) worked as a driver for various farmers and companies, but he started farming part-time in 2012. He is now farming full-time at Kaalvlakte in the Dannhauser region in KwaZulu-Natal, where he produces maize and soybeans. His livestock component consists of cattle, sheep and goats.
He joined the Grain SA Farmer Development Programme in 2022 and is mentored by Graeme Engelbrecht. To expand his agricultural knowledge, he has attended several courses presented by Grain SA. He dreams of becoming a fully-fledged commercial farmer, producing more than 1 000 ha.
After working in the mines in Rustenburg for a few years, Itumeleng Mongane (63) made the decision in 1991 to return home to Mahikeng in North West to farm with his father. Together they farmed on 30 ha of communal land in the village, where they planted sunflowers and kept some cattle.
He joined Grain SA in 2012 and produces maize and sunflower under the guidance of the PGP regional office in North West. He is part of the Mooifontein Study Group and grabs any opportunity to increase his agricultural knowledge.
The chairperson of the Syferfontein Study Group, Magolela Ali Morena (54), grows maize and beans in the Sikhukhune Village in Limpopo. He joined Grain SA in 2020 and is developing as a farmer under the guidance of Jerry Mthombothi, regional development manager at PGP’s regional office in Mbombela.
In the 2023/2024 planting season, he harvested 6,5 t/ha and is hoping for an even higher yield this season. His mother ignited his passion for agriculture. Magolela helped to establish a few other PGP study groups in his area.
Vusumuzi Mnyandu (68) produces maize and potatoes on Plot 5 Slovo in the Ermelo region in Mpumalanga. Vusumuzi was a provincial healthcare manager in Gauteng, but after retiring in 2010, he started planting potatoes and maize on the family’s lease lands in Dundonald.
Before joining Grain SA in 2015, the yields were poor. However, the knowledge he acquired through study group sessions and his mentor, Jerry Mthombothi, has helped him to improve his agricultural practices. As chairperson of the Sijamekuthuleni Study Group, he has recruited many members, and the study group has grown to 62 members.
The difference agricultural knowledge can make is clear in the farming operation of Boyees Mrwetyana (56), who farms in the Mount Fletcher area in the Eastern Cape under the care of PGP’s regional office in Maclear.
After joining the Farmer Development Programme in 2014, he started understanding
agricultural terms such as hectares and tons. Before joining the programme, he used to get twelve to 15 bags of maize per hectare, but now his yield is always between 5 t/ha to 6 t/ha. Boyees is the chairperson of the Hlankomo Study Group.
Lindiwe Maureen Kubheka (58) produces maize on communal land in the Dannhauser district of KwaZulu-Natal. This area is serviced by PGP’s regional office in Dundee. Lindiwe is also the chairperson of the Newcastle/Doornkop Study Group.
While employed as a cleaner, Lindiwe was also farming part-time. After being retrenched in 2012, she made her living from farming, just like her parents. She is now also imparting her knowledge to her children. She joined the FDP in 2015.
Sarah Ramasego Matladi (49) developed an interest in agriculture as a little girl, watching her father grow maize and other vegetables. After she resigned as a cleaner at a school, she turned to farming as a way to provide for her family. Her husband, who worked at a mine, supported her by buying a tractor and other farm implements.
She joined Grain SA in 2021 and is an active member of the Mahukubyane Study Group in Limpopo, where Jerry Mthombothi plays a mentoring role. Since attending these sessions and other workshops, she has improved her yield and managed to harvest 7 t/ha in the previous season.
Publication: August 2025
Section: Pula/Imvula
