Bevon Anthony could never have predicted how drastically his life would change when his mother married a farmer from Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape ten years ago. Raised in Eerste River, Cape Town, he found farm life slightly intimidating. However, he chose to embrace the challenge.
Today, he can’t imagine a life without farming and works as a project implementer for the Western Cape department of agriculture.
“I never imagined myself living on a farm but life has a funny way of surprising you,” he says. “When my mum married a farmer, it was like stepping into a whole new world. Suddenly, I found myself herding sheep and taking care of pigs – it was a steep learning curve but I embraced it wholeheartedly.”
After completing his matric, he made the bold decision to take a gap year and immerse himself fully in farm work. “I wanted to gain as much experience as possible before pursuing further studies,” he explains. “So, I rolled up my sleeves and got to work as a general labourer on the farm.”
Turning point in farming career
In 2015, he got the opportunity to formalise his education in agriculture by enrolling in an agricultural learnership at Elsenburg Agricultural College in Stellenbosch.
“That was a turning point for me; it was where I truly discovered my passion for animal production and realised that I wanted to build a career in agriculture,” he says.
Upon completing his learnership, his journey led him to Casidra, a state-owned company responsible for project implementation on behalf of the Western Cape department of agriculture.
“Joining Casidra felt like coming full circle. It was an opportunity to combine my newfound knowledge with my passion for making a difference in the agricultural sector,” he explains.
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Climbing the ladder
Starting as a project implementer assistant in 2021, Anthony quickly rose through the ranks, earning a promotion to project implementer in 2023.
“Working at Casidra has been incredibly fulfilling. I have the chance to implement projects that directly impact the lives of beneficiaries and contribute to the development of our agricultural community,” he says.
In his role, Anthony is guided by a set of principles that have shaped his journey so far. He mainly implements projects where the focus and aim is to improve the livelihoods of people in rural areas.
“I believe in the power of education and hard work. But perhaps most importantly, I believe in the importance of dreaming big and never giving up.”
Every day is different; sometimes he is at the office being creative about projects and trying to find solutions, while other times he drives out to do some inspections on the projects.
As Anthony continues to make strides in his career, he remains committed to his mission of improving the livelihoods of the beneficiaries he serves and engaging with department officials to drive positive change in the agricultural sector.
Anthony’s tips for young people:
- Stay in school and work towards your dreams: Education is the foundation upon which dreams are built. By staying in school and dedicating yourself to your studies, you are not only acquiring knowledge but also developing the skills and discipline necessary to pursue your aspirations.
- Always listen to older people’s advice: Wisdom comes with age, and Anthony recognises the value of seeking guidance from those who have walked the path before him.
- Put in the effort in the work that you do: Success rarely comes without hard work and dedication. He emphasises the importance of putting in the effort in everything you do, no matter how big or small the task may seem.
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