Dwayne Kaschula has always known he was meant to be a farmer. His passion for farming started young and his relentless drive has led him to great success.
“I feel I was born to be part of agriculture, born to be a farmer. Since I can remember, my hands have been in the ground, running around on the farm, working with animals.”
As a young man, he worked for a commercial farmer, gaining firsthand experience managing a farming business. When he received a few cattle from his father, he made a bold decision to use his salary to lease grazing land from his former employer.
He grew his herd by buying animals from neighbours, adding value before selling them to abattoirs. Every cent of profit was reinvested into purchasing more females, steadily expanding his herd.
In 2006, after years of dedication and perseverance, Kaschula was able to purchase his own farm.
“Everything that’s happened here has grown from baby steps up to where we are now. Our motto is always to grow, but grow sustainably,” Kaschula says.
Hunting for success in diversification
Today, he and his fiancée, Kathy Perry, manage Confluence Farming Enterprise, a diversified agricultural business in Maclear, Eastern Cape.
Their operations span multiple commodities. They cultivate 90 to 100 hectares of commercial potatoes for the market and 500 hectares of maize, sunflowers, and sugar beans – 150 hectares of this is under irrigation.
Their livestock division boasts a commercial herd of 500 to 600 breeding cows, with a growing Brangus and Angus stud. Their egg production business currently supports 50 000 layers, and they plan for further expansion.
Kaschula has also ventured into game farming, housing golden and king’s wildebeest, buffalo, waterbuck, and other species.
“We are looking to add value currently in the hunting industry. Personally, we haven’t really been involved in the hunting industry, but we’re looking to venture into that as well.”
On the sideline, they also maintain a Boer goat stud, he says.
Kaschula’s approach to farming has always been strategic. “I immediately thought about starting with a bit of maize for feed for my cattle,” he recalls. “I’ve always been a firm believer in utilising my products to the fullest benefit of the farming industry as a whole.”
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As he built the livestock and grain operations, he realised the need for a cash-flow crop and turned to potatoes. “Potatoes are quite a temperamental crop, so my previous experience with them was to my benefit.”
Egg production followed, and Kaschula’s philosophy on diversification evolved. “At first, I chose crops I had knowledge of. But since then, my focus has shifted to the end product. Marketing has become a massive spotlight for me. There’s a big gap between producers and end users, and I believe farmers lose a lot of income in that space.”
Navigating challenges with resilience
Despite his success, Kaschula is not immune to the hardships of farming. Weather, market fluctuations, and financial pressures remain constant challenges.
“We use crop insurance as far as possible and spread planting times over a few months to manage risk,” he explains. “It’s not a silver bullet, but it’s something we do to the best of our ability.”
Managing the financial and operational demands of a diverse farming enterprise is another challenge.
“That is a massive task,” he admits. “My partner is hands-on with the financial and administrative side, keeping strict data on each operation. We evaluate every season to ensure we’re following our budgets. It’s not always easy in agriculture because something unexpected always pops up, but discipline is key.”
Keys to standing out in agriculture
For Kaschula, growth is about more than just increasing production – it’s about improving efficiency and adding value to the business. “Every season is like a reset button. I challenge myself every year to be better than the previous year.”
He emphasises the importance of branding and market positioning. “Delivering a good product and service builds trust with retailers, making business easier. We’ve put a lot of effort into marketing, and we’re seeing the benefits.”
His advice to aspiring farmers is simple. If you have a dream, no matter your background or resources, chase it. “The road to your dream will take unexpected turns, but if you stay focused, you’ll get there. Agriculture is not easy, but perseverance makes all the difference,” he shares.
Kaschula also believes in finding opportunity in adversity. “When something negative happens, I always look for the positive. Some of the biggest businesses were built from situations where others saw no potential. Seeing the positive in a negative environment is key to success.”
His innovative mindset and ability to adapt have made him a standout in the agricultural sector. In recognition of his achievements, he was named the 2024 Toyota Agri SA Young Farmer of the Year, winning a brand-new Toyota Hilux.
Yet, for Kaschula, the award is not just a recognition of past success – it’s motivation to keep growing.
“It’s not about how you start; it’s about how you end. The possibilities in farming are endless. If your dream is there, you’ll always find a way to achieve it.”
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