Gerhard Bruwer, an acclaimed farmer from the Northern Cape, captured the hearts and minds of over 500 eager learners at Food For Mzansi’s AgriCareers roadshow held in Douglas this week.
The event, hosted at Douglas High School, introduced learners to study and career opportunities in agriculture. From farming to plant sciences, coding, teaching, and journalism, they discovered that the sector isn’t just about overalls.
Bruwer, who is a co-owner of Genade Boerdery, shared his insights with learners, some of which were formed after the last two wheat harvests that tested his faith. “Believe in yourself,” he said.
“You must have the will to forge ahead. You simply have to keep going. If I give up, I’ll disappoint many people around me, and I’ll never do that.”
The 2024 AgriCareers roadshow – now in its sixth year – is powered by Standard Bank and AgriSETA. For the Northern Cape leg, Food For Mzansi also partnered with Tangible Africa and Douglas SEDC, a non-profit that offers maths and science support to learners.
Growing future scientists
Professor Adré Minnaar-Ontong, the head of plant breeding at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein, emphasised the importance of selecting mathematics over mathematics literacy for learners aiming to pursue careers in the field of science.
This can lead to exciting careers in cultivar development, crop improvement, and seed improvement.
Commenting on the AgriCareers experience, Minnaar-Ontong said, “The excitement of the children to save the world from famine is contagious!
“One learner said, ‘Teach us to produce our own food! Don’t just give us food.’ It just shows that these grade 9 and 10 learners should not be underestimated. They hold the future of agriculture in their hands. I learn so much from them.”
Denise Schemel, Science Programme Manager at Douglas SEDC, said the AgriCareers roadshow presented an ideal opportunity to offer free career guidance to attending learners.
“They said afterwards that they never realised how many career options there were available, and they really enjoyed being able to engage with all the experts. Events like these highlight the importance of agriculture and the need for people to work in the sector.”
G.P. van Rheede van Oudtshoorn, who travels around the world inspiring people, told learners that if they want to achieve their dreams, they need to put in a lot of effort and make good connections with others. He explained that working hard and having strong relationships with people who support you can help you go far in life.
Agricultural studies sprout in NC
Nantie Waldeck, an agricultural teacher at Douglas High School, reflected on the surge in interest in agricultural studies at schools in the Northern Cape. He said, “I am very excited that our numbers of agriculture learners have almost doubled in the past three years.”
He attributed this growth to the early introduction of agricultural education, stating, “The result is that an interest in agriculture is already cultivated at entry level to high school.”
Encouraging learners to seize opportunities, he added, “So seize the opportunities, like today, with both hands. Keep investing in yourself! I would like to urge every learner not to leave today without a goal or a dream in mind! Remember, it all starts with your mindset, which starts with the words, ‘I can.’”
Learners also interacted with other experts in agriculture, including a local veterinarian, Dr Priscilla Muradas from the Douglas Veterinary Clinic, and Diana Mngomezulu, a budding plant scientist. They were thoroughly questioned about their work, ranging from their professional responsibilities to their educational backgrounds and areas of expertise.
Exhibitors included GWK, an agricultural enterprise with its head office in Douglas, renowned for its significant contributions to the local community through educational initiatives and job creation programmes.
READ NEXT: 650 EC learners harvest AgriCareers opportunities in Mthatha
