For Setjhaba Ramabenyane, the path to becoming a successful farmer wasn’t a straight line through a field; it was a journey of academic rigour, corporate sales, and a return to his roots.
Today, the Botshabelo-born entrepreneur is transforming 300 hectares of Free State land into a thriving hub for livestock and grain. Ramabenyane’s foundation, however, was built in the laboratory.
After matriculating from Setjhaba Se Maketse Combined School in 2006, he headed to the University of the Free State to study microbiology. Though financial constraints prevented him from completing the degree, the scientific mindset stayed with him.
“Generally, from the microbiology studies, what I learnt is to be able to analyse problems and find solutions to them in a manner that is logical,” Ramabenyane reflects. “I am able to do thorough research in the agric space and make sense of it.”
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Learning the art of the deal
Before stepping into the kraal, Ramabenyane spent three years as a sales manager and merchandiser at Sapkor. It was here that he mastered the “art of selling,” learning how to negotiate deals and navigate the complexities of the business world, skills that would later prove vital in managing formal market contracts.
The turning point came when he moved in with his grandparents, Lahliwe and Geelbooi Jason, in Bloemfontein. His grandfather, a passionate livestock farmer, became the catalyst for Ramabenyane’s career change.
“That is where I learnt about farming. My grandfather made me fall in love with it; he was, and still is, a mentor with so much wisdom.”
By 2017, Ramabenyane was actively farming alongside his grandfather, soaking up years of practical experience. In 2019, he took the formal step of registering his own enterprise, Tiny Farm in Dewetsdorp. A year later, he started his own operation on 100 hectares of private leased land, with a small herd of mixed-breed cattle.
Initially, he had no outside funding. Instead, he relied on the foundational support and guidance of his father, Tumelo, and his grandfather.
“I even call them my bosses, as it’s them most of the time giving me ideas of how and where to improve…So it was time for me to be independent and have my own enterprise while they are still alive so that they can support and advise me.”
Balancing studies and the land
Ramabenyane didn’t just rely on traditional farming; he was determined to gain formal scientific expertise.
In 2020, the same year he began farming on his own, he enrolled at Glen College of Agriculture. Despite the heavy workload and managing a growing farm, his leadership qualities shone through. He served on the Student Representative Council (SRC) as treasurer and ultimately as president in 2022, the same year he graduated with his diploma in animal production.
He didn’t stop there. While continuing to run the farm, he progressed to the Central University of Technology (CUT) to obtain an advanced diploma and eventually his honours in agricultural management.
This commitment to both the soil and the classroom paid off. His formal qualifications and solid business records helped him secure a R1 million funding package from the department of agriculture. This allowed him to pivot to quality, selling his original mixed-breed cattle to invest in a registered Bonsmara bull and 10 heifers, alongside essential infrastructure and water systems.
“My greatest achievement was also being able to get funded by the Land Bank. Everyone knows how tough their systems are, so it proved to me that I am running my enterprise well and keeping the best financial records.”
Scaling to new heights
Today, the operation has tripled in size to 300 hectares. Ramabenyane now manages a sophisticated mix of Bonsmara cattle and Meatmaster sheep, while also producing maize, soya, and sunflowers. His produce reaches formal giants like Afgri and OVK, and his livestock are regular features at various auctions.
The growth has allowed him to employ two permanent youth workers and up to five casual workers during peak seasons. Yet, he is candid about the hurdles, from high input costs for grain to the constant threat of livestock diseases like foot-and-mouth and lumpy skin.
“We try to keep the best biosecurity practices and a set vaccination programme,” he explains.
To tackle resource shortages, he leans on networks like Afasa and young farmer groups for partnership and resource mobilisation. “Other farmers are able to assist and give help where it’s required.”
Ramabenyane is far from finished. His vision includes expanding to 800 hectares and becoming a certified stud breeder for both Bonsmara and Meatmaster sheep. He also has his eye on exploring agri-tourism and game farming.
Reflecting on his journey from the lab to the farm, he offers a roadmap for the next generation of agriculturalists.
“Farming is a noble business, but it has a number of challenges when starting. It’s important to determine early what you are passionate about. Lastly, before you even put one seed on the ground or breed one animal, make sure you research the market and understand it fully so you know who to sell to,” he advises.
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