Although he grew up surrounded by farmers in Magagwe – a close-knit village in Kuruman – Kgopiso Bogatsu admits that he never imagined that he would farm.
In fact, he says he hated being surrounded by farm animals and longed for a more fast-paced life in Jozi, over a quiet existence in the small Northern Cape village.
“As a child, I hated farming. My grandparents farmed with chickens, goats, cows, and pigs. I absolutely hated being surrounded by all of that.”
His business, Botipe General Trading, grows crops including spinach, tomatoes, beets, and carrots. “We are cultivating 50 by 50 acres. We have 50 at home, and so do our neighbours. Then, since the neighbour’s land was unoccupied, we asked them to lend it to us for agricultural purposes, and they agreed.”
Changing his path
When he finished high school in 2007, he moved to Johannesburg to study fundamental human resources. He says there he realised that he was not really an academic.
Bogatsu tells Food for Mzansi that he was previously employed at a retail supermarket.
“I left my job at a retail grocery to pursue farming. I asked my grandparents about us starting farm work, because land would be difficult to obtain in Johannesburg.”
He returned to Magagwe village and discussed the possibility of launching an agricultural business with them. They agreed, so they began with spinach.
Due to the success of the spinach and its demand in Magagwe, they realised they needed more space for expansion. Once the neighbour agreed to lend them the land, they produced beetroot, carrots, and tomatoes.
Bogatsu continued to pursue piglets, chicks, goats, and cows. He says the cows and goats are still part of a pilot programme to determine whether they can survive in the Magagwe area. Should they perform well, they will continue to farm with it.
“We maintain these chicks for six weeks before selling them. Some are sold alive, while others are slaughtered and sold in portions – the same as in a piggery.”
According to him, farming consumes all his time and needs his unwavering dedication.
Family over everything
He credits his grandparents for their support and knowledge provided throughout his journey.
“It’s not easy to believe in someone’s dream. When someone believes in your dream you got to believe they do. My grandparents are precisely like that.”
When he arrived home from Johannesburg, they offered him a car to use for deliveries. Bogatsu adds that it has assisted him in delivering his produce throughout the kasi.
“I run a market from the local Kagung Clinic. There I deliver my produce to the employees and the Kuruman hospital.”
Bogatsu says he’d be able to cater for the hospital if he was farming on a larger scale.
Another market source is family reunions, weddings, funerals, and people from the nearby area. “I am eternally grateful for the support they are giving me. I now desire a larger plot of land so I can employ people.”
The subsequent move
He believes the moment has come for him to spread his wings. “I want to approach day care centres and schools to start gardening with learners and to teach learners about agriculture.”
He believes that this is where Mzansi must begin in order to produce future farmers. “So, I approached one day care in my village and we are due to start next year.
“I believe it is my obligation to alter the mindset of my community. Agriculture should be a way of life, like it was for our grandparents.”
Fresh food is crucial, according to Bogatsu, and adds that it is refreshing to see people not having to travel to acquire veggies, chicken or eggs.
“I am liking the local market. It is quick and much simpler to communicate with customers about delivery timeframes and selling days.”
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