Clanwilliam in the Western Cape is a small farming town known for its scenic beauty. But hidden among the pretty sites sits the oldest agricultural school in the province, responsible for producing some of the province’s top farmers. Augsburg Landbougimnasium is a cross-cultural primary and high school boasting more than 500 learners every year. Students that leave here are well-equipped to take on farming in the real world.
Hugo Coetzee is a third-generation farmer and teacher at the school. According to Coetzee, by the time students leave, they have the potential to leave with at least ten certificates attached to their matric certificate.
This means a student would not have to pursue tertiary but can find a job immediately because they are qualified.
“I always joke that somebody needs to teach these children how to make food, I don’t want to starve. You want to teach the children skills and teach them how to look after themselves,” Coetzee says.
Augsburg is changing lives
The school serves learners from Namibia, Namaqualand, West Coast, Swartland, Namaqualand and Central Karoo. A large area of Southern Africa is therefore served by the school.
Augsburg farming consists of Augsburg Farm, Warmhoek and Taaiboskraal. Normal academic and agricultural subjects are offered here and the farm is then also used as a base to give the agricultural learners practical agricultural experience.
Hiaan Van Dyk, a grade 11 student says the school is playing an important role in the community and in his life.
“I have learned a lot of things from working on the farm. You get to know the farmworkers and start building a friendship with them. If you do your practicals, they are always there to help you. My classmates also make a great team,” says the 16-year-old.
Van Dyk is originally from Klapmuts and says farming means a lot to him. “I love farming. I really hope that I have the opportunity to farm when I am done with school.”
Invaluable experience
Fellow student, Anandi Smit is originally from Piketburg and believes the experience he has gained from the school’s farm has been very good for him.
“I have acquired endurance and learned how to work together with my fellow classmates, and I have learned to appreciate the little things people do. Farming means working hard for what you want to achieve and if you fail, you try again until you succeed,” says Smit.
The future is looking good
Augsburg Farming has branches that represent the region’s production areas as far as possible. The purpose of this is to promote the future of agriculture, thereby contributing to food security and investing in the future of young farmers.
One of the farmworkers is Ratel Lesch from Malmsbury. He tells Food for Mzansi that rooibos farming has been his way of making an income.
“Rooibos is a big deal in our community because rooibos is a big sponsor of this town and helps out at functions,” he says.
Coetzee says much of the success in agriculture is with how the youth are taught like understanding and implementing farming fundamentals.
Youth will keep the country moving forward
“If they remember half of what we teach them, the future is going to look good for South Africa. I am going to be an old man one day and they will have to look after me,” he says.
“if we just keep the younger generation active, happy, and working, we will have a bright future in our country. We will be back where we want to be and not where we are now.”
Coetzee says agriculture will always remain, it will move forward and the youth must be ready.
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