For Sizwe Thusi of eMpangeni, KwaZulu-Natal, farming is more than a career change, it’s a dream realised. Leaving behind his job as an aircraft maintenance engineer, Thusi embarked on a new path driven by a passion for animals and a vision for success.
This bold move led to the Ndlebenkomo Animal Husbandry Academy, a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to farming excellence and empowering rural communities.
Making connections
In October 2021, he left his job to become a full-time farmer.
Before farming, Thusi completed a three-year trade diploma at the South African Airways Technical School. In 2014, he started working as a junior technician at Aerosud, a company based in Tshwane, Gauteng.
By 2015, Thusi had moved to OR Tambo International Airport, where he worked as an aeronautical technician. His commitment to his field continued, and in 2019, he obtained his aircraft maintenance engineer qualification.
“But the significant part is that, in 2016, I started enrolling in and attending farming courses during my free time from work.”
Thusi spent his free time visiting primarily white farmers in Potchefstroom in North West, Heilbron in the Free State, Limpopo and Pretoria and other areas.
“Some of them gave me a chance to stay with them for a while. They referred me to their institutions, where they also learned some of the things.”
Over the years, he attended 15 farming courses from various institutions to gain valuable knowledge.
From setbacks to success
Thusi’s journey into goat farming began in 2015 when he purchased goats for his farm in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), but unfortunately, they were stolen.
Recalling his early days, Thusi says he bought two goats and borrowed a buck (male) from neighbours.
The two females gave birth to twins in the first five months and another set of twins in the second five months of the same year.
“Then there were 10 in total. In 2016, when they were 15, this one morning my sister woke up to nothing in the kraal.”
This setback did not hold him back. In 2018, he took a significant step towards realising his dream by buying two plots of land in Nigel in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng.
Balancing his time between work and farming at the time, Thusi would visit the farm after finishing his job around 14:00 and return home to Benoni, Gauteng by 18:00.
This time, Thusi started with 55 goats, mainly acquired from the Neil Family Trust in Tshwane. He was particularly fond of the Xhosa lob ear, an indigenous veld goat breed. To manage his herd, Thusi employed a herdsman to look after the goats during the day.
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Seeing a gap in goat farming
Before starting the academy, Thusi says there was a deal between South Africa and Zambia to supply one million live goats a year to Saudi Arabia.
According to the analysis, South Africa had a significant shortage of goats, especially the breed they were seeking. Thusi realised this opportunity was crucial, particularly for those in disadvantaged rural areas.
He began offering goat farming training through workshops and classes in KZN and Gauteng during his off hours. He says he observed that many black farmers lacked farming knowledge despite mainstream education.
This led to the founding of the Ndlebenkomo Animal Husbandry Academy, which he registered with CIPC and received accreditation from AgriSeta.
“I also completed facilitator, assessor, and moderator courses. Currently, we are based in KwaZulu-Natal because the region, particularly along the coast, is significantly behind in livestock farming.”
Ndlebenkomo offers a 12-month animal production course at NQF level 4, along with various training modules such as advanced goat breeding, basic medicine, and cattle farming.
“These training courses are open to livestock owners, aspiring farmers, and anyone passionate about farming,” Thusi adds.
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Planting seeds of knowledge
Thusi explains that his academy provides consultations in veld assessment based on the specific challenges on farms.
They currently run a learnership programme with 16 learners in animal production NQF Level 4, with an additional 25 learners starting in September 2024.”
Thusi farms with indigenous veld goats, poultry, cattle, and crops. His primary focus, however, remains goat farming.
He manages two farms: an eight-hectare farm and another 200-hectare plot, which is still undeveloped. These farms are 40 minutes apart.
“We are still in talks with other potential sponsors. We have secured enough land to expand,” Thusi says.
Additionally, he mentions a major upcoming project to address the gap between veterinary intervention and rural farmers by training local communities to become animal health workers (CAHW) and extension workers.
Thusi takes pride in giving back to his community by upskilling them in farming.
He reflects on his decision to leave city life and a good salary before the age of 35, recognising the need for his expertise. And he has no regrets because his leap of faith paid off.
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