UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL…
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 farmers of South Africa and every farmer I have worked with has told me to do everything with love and passion if I don’t want to fail.
IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY IF YOU COULD?
We should have targeted more women earlier on in the project. Women are doing very well, and for the past years the best performers and award winners, internally and externally, have been women.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST SUCCESS TO DATE?
To be in the position I am in now and to be working with the best farmers in the country, like Nick Serfontein. Being able to make a positive impact on the development and building of this country means a lot to me.
WHO HAS MADE THE BIGGEST CONTRIBUTION TO YOUR CAREER SO FAR?
Nick Serfontein. He has empowered me and he treats me like a partner rather than just an employee. He has let me grow independently, supported my own business ventures and helped me develop my own community.
WHAT KIND OF RELATIONSHIP DO YOU HAVE WITH THE FARMERS YOU WORK WITH? DO YOU KEEP IN TOUCH WITH SOME OF THEM?
I have a good relationship with all the farmers I work with. We have developed relationships that go beyond those of just colleagues or mentors. I have become a brother to many of the farmers, especially those who are part of the project and those I have worked with back in the day when I was with Obaro.
IF YOU WERE IN A POSITION TO OFFER THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE SOME ADVICE, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?
I would strongly suggest that she makes more funding available for development, and that her ministry encourages and supports private/public partnerships.
DO YOU THINK ORGANISED AGRICULTURE IS STILL IMPORTANT TODAY?
In all honesty, I think these groups are quickly losing relevancy, because they are drifting away from and losing touch with farmers. They are mostly pursuing political agendas instead of focusing on the farmers and the issues that affect them.