From a young age, Zanele Twala understood that life wouldn’t hand her anything easily; she had to create her own opportunities. She always had big dreams, but never imagined they would lead her to farming. However, in Hammanskraal, Tshwane, she has found her place among her crops and goats.
“I thought success would come wearing heels and a title, not gumboots and sweat,” she laughs. “But as life would have it, the very thing I once saw as hard labour became my purpose.”
Twala grew up in a family of five, the fourth child raised by a single mother. “We didn’t have much, but what we had was love, resilience, and the will to make things work,” she says.
She matriculated in 2010 and started working in the retail industry soon after. Due to financial challenges, she couldn’t go to university. In 2013, a close relative started a farm producing baby marrows, patty pans, baby gems, cauliflower, and broccoli. Twala offered to help whenever she could.
The farm owner had hired a mentor to guide her through the process, and Twala used every opportunity given to her to earn.
She says the mentor later took her under his wing, teaching her the basics of crop production, management, and consistency.
That mentorship planted a seed that changed her life. Before long, Twala was the one others turned to for advice.
Learning the ins and outs of goat breeding
In 2017, Twala established KahoyaLefa in Hammanskraal. She farms crops and Boer goats on half a hectare of land.
Twala employs four full-time workers who help with crop production, while she personally manages the goat breeding side. She breeds Boer and Saanen goats, crossbreeding the two for meat production.
“Market-wise, I’m doing very well in our community because people here take traditional ceremonies very seriously.”
With her first profits from the crops, she ventured into pig farming, but it didn’t work out. “The feed, maintenance, and profit margins didn’t make business sense,” she says.
Still, she admits that maintaining Boer goats can be costly – from vaccines to feed, especially in winter when there’s no grazing. This is why crossbreeding with Saanen goats has proven to be a smarter business move for her.
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Building balance on the farm
Twala tells Food For Mzansi that Hammanskraal’s warm, semi-arid climate naturally supports goat farming. The area experiences long, dry periods with moderate rainfall, which are ideal conditions for hardy animals like goats.
“They adapt well to the heat and can graze on a wide range of vegetation, even in areas where other livestock might struggle.”
She adds that because the region does not experience extreme cold, goats maintain good body condition throughout the year. The key, she says, is ensuring enough shade during summer and access to clean water at all times.
“I’ve also learned that regular deworming, vaccination, and proper shelter maintenance go a long way in keeping them healthy and productive.”
According to Twala, goat farming in the region fits perfectly into sustainable mixed farming. The manure enriches the soil for crops, while crop residues help feed the goats. This creates a balanced cycle that supports both the land and the livestock.
“That is what we aim for at KahoyaLef: balance, productivity, and long-term growth.”
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Growing a sustainable market
KahoyaLefa’s main market includes Spar, local community members, and a few resellers in and around Hammanskraal.
“I believe in keeping food accessible, especially for families who prefer supporting farmers in their own community,” she says.
The farm grows Swiss chard, onions, spinach, and beetroot. “These crops are staple foods in many South African households, and what makes ours special is the care and consistency we put into growing them.”
She notes that at KahoyaLefa, they focus on good soil management, smart irrigation, and careful crop planning.
“We also monitor market trends and adjust our planting cycles accordingly. Sustainability for us also means giving back. We run an outreach programme every month, supporting a local school for children with disabilities, a day care, and an old-age home.”
A vision that inspires others
Twala envisions KahoyaLefa becoming one of Hammanskraal’s leading agribusinesses.
“My goal is to move beyond just growing vegetables to building a full value chain: from production to packaging, branding, and direct supply to retailers, schools, and local households,” she says.
She imagines a fully functional farm hub where young people can learn practical farming skills, access mentorship, and see that agriculture can be a career, not just a means of survival.
On the livestock side, Twala plans to expand the goat unit into a structured breeding and meat production programme that contributes to local food security and creates new income streams.
Ultimately, her vision is to turn KahoyaLefa into a self-sustaining, proudly local brand – one that feeds families, creates jobs, especially for youth in the community, and inspires others to believe that success truly can grow from the soil.
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