Pass the baton to the right person

October 2025

YOLANDI MARAIS, AGRICULTURAL ADVISOR AT DUNAMUS

IMAGINE ALL THE HARD WORK YOU PUT INTO YOUR FARM EVERY DAY. YOU WANT YOUR FARMING TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND TO PROVIDE A GOOD LIVING FROM THE HARVEST. WHAT KEEPS YOU GOING? WHAT HELPS YOU TO PUSH THROUGH TOUGH TIMES?

For many farmers, the goal is not just money. It is to leave a legacy that can be shared with the next generation. Look around you. Who is with you, and who will be with you in the future? Family members are often the main reason many farmers keep going and succeed.

Think of farming as a long race. You work hard now to build something you can hand over to your family. It is like a relay race with many runners. Each person must do their best and then pass the baton to the next person. If the baton is dropped or runners go in the wrong direction, the race does not finish well.

Succession planning in farming is like passing the baton from one generation to the next. It helps the farm keep running even if you can no longer manage it yourself anymore. A farming career can last a long time for some people, but for others it ends early because of health problems, money worries or other limits. Successful farmers prepare so that the next generation is ready to take over. They know a lasting farming legacy is bigger than one person.

So, how can you join other successful farmers and protect your farm for the future?

REMEMBER IT IS NOT ABOUT YOU ALONE
Farmers often work alone but building a lasting legacy means thinking about others. Identify who depends on the farm now and who will depend on it in the future. What happens to your family if you are not there to run the farm? Will they be able to keep farming if they want to?

Think about the people who rely on the farm right now. Then think about the people who may need the farm later. Is there a plan to help them learn and participate? A strong legacy comes from involving family members, workers and partners, and making sure everyone understands the goals and the path to reach them.

IDENTIFY YOUR SUCCESSOR
When a farmer is at the peak of his career, inviting someone else into the business and teaching him the trade can feel difficult. Many farmers do not identify or train a successor in time. There are sad stories of farms that have run for generations but must be sold because the next generation is not ready or able to take over. The baton falls to the ground, and the race ends prematurely.

A successful farmer finds successors and prepares them for what lies ahead. When the time comes, the successor should be willing, able and prepared to continue the farming work. How can you prepare them?

• Include them in discussions about the farm.
• Share the farm’s financial information and management details.
• Introduce them to your partners and stakeholders.
• Teach them why you make certain decisions and how you manage the farm.
• Let them see how you think and how you act in different situations.
• Help them understand the farm’s vision, goals and plans.
• Share your dreams and concerns with them.

When a successor is involved early, he learns to think similarly and can carry the work forward more smoothly. This increases the chances that the farm will reach its goals, even if you are not there to guide him every day.

HAVE A PLAN
A family farm rests on three building blocks: The family, the farm(s) and the management of the farming business (the day-to-day work). Each block needs a clear plan that everyone understands. This plan is called a succession plan. It should be developed well in advance with help from advisors to make sure the baton can be passed smoothly.

A key part of a succession plan is a last will or testament. Think of the will as the baton you pass to the next runner. It is your final act as an athlete, marking the official transfer of the business from one generation to the next.

If there is no plan in place, the successor may have to start over from the very beginning, which can create chaos and confusion. A clear plan helps the transition happen in a steady, orderly way.

DRAW UP A LAST WILL OR TESTAMENT
A last will or testament is a legal document that explains what happens to your property when you die. It specifies the following:

• Who should receive your belongings.
• Who will be in charge of carrying out your wishes (the executor).
• And who should take care of your children (a legal guardian).

A will is written while you are still alive, and the instructions are carried out after your death. It is an essential part of your estate plan, which helps settle your affairs the way you want. A will can also include arrangements for surviving accounts or care for another person, such as an elderly parent.

The will appoints an executor – the person who makes sure your wishes are followed. Usually, a court supervises the executor to ensure the wishes in the will are carried out correctly.

To be legally valid, the will must be signed by a person who is of sound mind and mentally capable. If you do not have a will when you die, you die intestate. In these cases the government decides how to handle your property.

Considerations when writing a will

• Decide who you want to hire to draw up the will and find out what it will cost. Some organisations offer free will services, but they may want to be the executor and receive a fee for handling the estate.
• Identify your beneficiaries.
• Choose a legal guardian for your children if they depend on you.
• Decide who will be the executor for your estate.
• Consider any other wishes you have.

It is essential to discuss your will with your family. This helps everyone to understand what will happen and what to expect. Inheritance is a privilege, not a right. Sharing plans in advance helps set realistic expectations for the future of the farm.

Do not leave your hard work to chance. Put the necessary plans and documents in place to build a farm for the future. With a clear plan and a willing successor, your farm can provide a lasting legacy for generations to come.

KEY STEPS YOU CAN TAKE NOW

• Discuss the future of the farm with your family.
• Identify potential successors and start teaching them the basics.
• Create a clear succession plan with help from advisors.
• Prepare a last will or testament and choose an executor.
• Discuss guardianship if needed, and any other important wishes.
• Keep information organised and up to date, so it is easy to carry out your plan when the time comes.

Discussing these plans with family members helps everyone to understand what will happen and why.

Remember: A lasting farming legacy is built through careful planning, open communication and careful preparation. By taking these steps, you can protect your farm for the future and ensure that your successors can enjoy a thriving, enduring legacy. 

Publication: October 2025

Section: Pula/Imvula