North West poultry farmer Xolani Namane is resilient, determined, and refuses to give up, no matter how many setbacks life throws at him.
Despite his father’s hopes for him to become a chartered accountant, Namane was drawn to farming. A few years ago, he started small, raising 100 broiler chickens in his father’s garage and growing the flock to 300.
Namane credits his father, Modisemang, and his grandfather, Solomon Tyobeka, as pivotal influences on his journey.
“My grandfather and my late uncle, Mbulelo Tyobeka, saw a farmer in me before I could even start to lease a farm from my municipality,” he explains. Their belief in his potential planted the seeds of his future success.
Keeping on despite setbacks
He later leased land from the municipality and shifted from raising broilers to landrace pigs, with a cross of large white pigs, starting with 20 pregnant sows.
Within three months, their herd grew to 60 pigs, but sadly, they suffered a devastating setback due to stock theft, losing all 60 pigs and having to start over from scratch.
“We did our research and sourced funds from my late uncle to build a hatchery from scratch with a 1 000 capacity stock and later built a hatchery for 12 000 stock with cheap material. It couldn’t contain the heat, and we lost our investments yet again.”
However, Namane is resourceful and remains ambitious, even in the face of adversity. He then ventured into maize farming and lost 80% of the crop due to theft.
Namane also ventured into sugar bean production and managed to secure investors, but experienced a setback that resulted in financial and investment losses. He credits his resilience and mindset for keeping him moving forward.
“Two things only make a businessperson: the ability to handle disappointments and rejection. You can’t go around trying to avoid disappointments. People will always let you down, especially at the last minute. That will always happen for as long as you’re alive.
“Sometimes someone promises to fund you, and they don’t. Sometimes someone promises to buy from you on a certain date, and they don’t. Sometimes you plan an event or seminar, and people don’t attend. Sometimes you expect your family to support you, and they don’t.
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“A lot of disappointments happen, but the difference between winners and losers is that winners know how to handle them. I’ve been disappointed 1 000 times by people in my life, but I’ve never let that stop me,” Namane says.
“I will never let someone be the reason that I never made it. You can’t be the reason I failed – I will never allow anyone to be.”
Choosing farming over social pursuits
Today, Namane’s venture has grown far beyond its humble origins and struggles. Through a funding intervention from the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) and the advice of Teiso Sedumedi, he has expanded into a 72 000-capacity incubator and hatchery.
This impressive milestone has been achieved on municipal land he is in the process of purchasing.
As the oldest of three children, Namane resides in his hometown of Wolmaransstad, North West, balancing his entrepreneurial endeavours with academic aspirations.
“I am currently enrolling with Unisa to finish my financial accounting course,” he shares, reflecting his dual commitment to education and business growth.
Namane’s fascination with poultry began at a young age. While his peers were immersed in social pursuits, he was drawn to the potential he saw in farming.
“When I was younger, everyone my age seemed to be chasing ladies, while I was chasing value in the poultry industry,” he says.
This early passion led him to study various farming practices and breeding stocks, eventually transforming his father’s garage into the foundation of his poultry business.
Building a market
Breaking into the competitive poultry market was no small feat. “We struggled to penetrate the market,” Namane admits.
His breakthrough came through strategic collaboration. “Our strategy was to partner with a well-established brand, and we’ve built our clientele by partnering with Rra Tau Mill.”
This partnership has not only stabilised his business but has also allowed Namane to focus on scaling and introducing innovations within the poultry sector.
Challenges have been an integral part of his journey but his resourcefulness and determination have carried him through.
Looking ahead, he says, “Our intention is to build a white meat value chain business,” hinting at ambitious plans to further expand his operations and impact in the industry.
Namane offers a blend of philosophical and practical wisdom for those inspired by his journey: “A zebra is very beautiful, attractive, and well-built. The problem with it is you can’t instill values in it; it’s not good for procreation and can’t always be kept as a pet, though it brings tourists to the yard.
“A donkey, on the other hand, can help you build a whole house. You can fetch water with it, do farming with it, and create wealth. Not as beautiful as the zebra, but submissive and very helpful.”
Namane’s zebra metaphor, a perspective instilled by his grandfather, has taught him to prioritise practicality, resilience, and substance over appearance – qualities that have shaped his approach to farming and business.
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