Masixole Maswana from Ngqushwa in the Eastern Cape grew up under the guidance of his grandfather, a farmer and wool producer. While other children played, his days were filled with early mornings, practical skills in the garden, and the strict values his grandfather lived by. Those lessons shaped the man he would grow into.
Yet, Maswana once imagined a very different future, picturing himself in a white coat, helping bring life into the world as a gynaecologist.
Instead, he studied animal science, a path that had been preparing him all along.
Farming lessons that last a lifetime
Maswana’s parents migrated from Entloko in Ngqushwa to an urban area, now known as kuGompo, formerly East London, in the early 1990s. During his childhood, every school holiday was spent in his grandfather’s agricultural businesses in eNgqushwa (Peddie).
“He enforced strict rules,” Maswana says. “Before I could play with other children, I had to irrigate vegetable gardens, feed the chickens, and herd his sheep. Sometimes we would harvest grain from his fields or drive his tractor to clean animal dipping tanks in over fifteen villages, returning home late with no time to play.”
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He developed a strong aversion to agriculture, associating it with hard labour. As a teenager, his grandfather asked, “What do you choose: endless money or large cultivated fields?” Maswana chose money, drawn to city life.
However, his grandfather’s response was, “Money will never enter your mouth; how can you choose it over cultivated fields?” That stayed with him.
Maswana passed matric and hoped to study medicine but was not accepted. Instead, he was admitted to the University of Fort Hare to study human resource management, inspired by a character from the soapie Generations and dreams of becoming a CEO.
His parents expressed concern, warning that the HR field was saturated and many struggled to find jobs. His mother contacted a childhood friend in senior agricultural management, who suggested another path.
Motivated by his love for animals and fascination with the National Geographic channel, Maswana switched to animal production science in 2007 and also earned his master’s in animal production science (breeding and genetics) at the University of Limpopo.
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Becoming an expert in animal genetics
Maswana tells Food For Mzansi that animal production scientists are responsible for investigating challenges faced by farmers and developing scientifically validated solutions.
“They document trends related to animals and their environments, which can help countries design effective agricultural policies, programmes, and production techniques.”
He adds that scientists must innovate new technologies to improve farming practices and find better methods for production amid a changing climate. They also explore ways to enhance animal feed, genetics, health, and overall productivity.
His expertise lies in animal genetics, where he identifies genes that allow animals to thrive in today’s environmental conditions. “Farmers rely on my insights to select breeding targets and determine which animals are suitable for reproduction in the current era.”
Maswana notes that modern animals have become overly reliant on Western medicine, and part of his role is to counteract this trend. “My goal is to reduce production costs for farmers while increasing their profits.”
He adds that his work also aims to support more black farmers in participating in the mainstream economy, develop modern breeding programmes, educate farmers, and reduce methane emissions from animal waste.
With the global population growing each year, he stresses the importance of the next generation entering the field, understanding its challenges, and working together to find effective solutions.
Turning heritage into impact
Looking back, Maswana says his grandfather’s question was fundamental, yet also complex.
He explains, “It touched on food security, an unstable economy, the ability to grow your own food, and the understanding that with this skill, you would always be secure. No matter the circumstances, survival would be assured.”
Now, as he works towards his doctorate of philosophy in agriculture and animal health at the University of South Africa, Maswana adds that one of his goals is to lead the provincial livestock industry, promoting more profitable black-owned businesses that fully participate in the animal products value chain. He hopes to achieve this in the Eastern Cape.
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