Despite freezing temperatures and a persistent morning drizzle, the energy in KwaZulu-Natal remained unmatched as local producers packed out the venue for Food For Mzansi’s annual provincial farmers’ day.
Held in partnership with award-winning commercial farmer Meshack Ndongeni, founder of Ndongeni Farms, the overflowing event served as a vital platform connecting emerging farmers with sector stakeholders, technical expertise, and crucial pathways to market readiness.
Welcoming the crowd, host farmer Ndongeni expressed deep gratitude for the collaborative effort and thanked Food For Mzansi for a partnership he hopes will continue to uplift the sector.
For Ndongeni, whose highly diversified operation now spans grain, potatoes, cabbage, and livestock, hosting the day was an opportunity to pay his success forward. His own journey began on a simple four-hectare family plot in the former homelands of the Eastern Cape, an experience that taught him early on that farming requires equal parts hard work and strategic trading, a blueprint he hoped attendees would adopt.
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Setting standard operations first
Smangele Zulu, district director from the department of agriculture, echoed this emphasis on real-world experience, sharing critical insights into how local producers can successfully secure state support.
She highlighted that the department prioritises active operations over conceptual ideas, explaining that resources are geared toward boosting existing efforts rather than funding initial startups.
“You need to be already working. We encourage other farmers to participate in this type of engagement,” she said.
Expanding on this development framework, Thami Majozi from the Agribusiness Development Agency (ADA) broke down the operational pipeline for financial and structural assistance. Majozi explained that the department channels agricultural development funds through the ADA, focusing heavily on capacity building to unlock long-term growth.
“We work as a catalyst to assist farmers to get where they need to,” Majozi said.
Livestock management and seeking professional advice
Biosecurity and animal health took centre stage as Khaya Xhantibe, livestock technical advisor at Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS), briefed producers on the ongoing threat of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and its heavy impact on national production lines. Xhantibe stressed that proactive farm management must include staff development.
“Prevention is cheaper than curing,” Xhantibe warned, advising farmers to train their workers on disease identification and farm hygiene protocols well before any outbreaks occur.
Technical precision on the cropping side was emphasised by James Potgieter, production manager at Sutherland Seedlings, who spoke on planting strategies, seed selection, and soil management. Potgieter highlighted the importance of knowing one’s operational limits and relying on specialised agricultural networks.
“I often get asked, ‘What cabbage must I plant?’ [but] my answer is that I am a nurseryman and I grow the plants in the nursery.
“I have the understanding and knowledge in the nursery, [and] I am always willing to give contacts of experts to understand and know better.” He urged farmers to consistently consult seasoned professionals to protect their crop investments.
Managing the farm as a sustainable business
Sandile Mthembu from HelloChoice reinforced the call for strict professionalism, warning that many producers miss out on massive commercial advancements due to simple administrative oversights.
Mthembu urged farmers to double-check all necessary documentation. He pointed out that basic slip-ups such as tax compliance remain a primary reason why financial institutions reject applications.
“As farmers, we are not just producing, but we are also in it to make money. We are businesses, and therefore we need to treat farming like a business and manage it like a business so that we can be able to realise growth and success like Ndongeni has,” Mthembu stated.
Mirroring this drive for commercial excellence, Ayanda Mnguni, general manager of the South African Agricultural Awards, reminded attendees to actively claim their space in the industry by entering their businesses for recognition.
“Make sure you enter because we cannot make a ceremony without [you],” Mnguni said.
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