Kgothalo Machethe, a grade 11 learner, is already making his mark in farming. For him, the fascination began with the simple joy of watching plants grow and provide food for people.
Machethe’s journey started with the guidance of a local farmer, Mbazima Nkanyane, who introduced him to agriculture five years ago.
“My mentor taught me to drive a tractor, then he took me to his farm and showed me how to plant and how to irrigate them, how to fertilise them,” he says.
Since then, Nkanyane has become more than a teacher; he’s a mentor to Machethe. “He told me, ‘You see, you are a young man. I know that you can do this, just keep on pushing, just keep on pushing, keep on pushing.’ ”
First steps in crop farming
This year marks Machethe’s first real experience of farming beyond his back garden in Bolobedu, Limpopo. “My mentor came to me and said, I want to give you some piece of land so that I can see what you can produce on that piece of land. So he gave me some seedlings to plant, some cabbage seedlings.”
His cabbages are thriving, and with a harvest of around 400 heads expected, he already has nearby communities ready to buy. While cabbage is his main crop, he is planning to expand. “I’m also focusing on beetroot,” he shares.
Even while dedicating time to the farm, Machethe remains focused on school. His favourite subjects, geography and business studies, support his farming ambitions.
“Geography helps me with climate change, and with understanding the soils. As a farmer, it’s important to understand which crops are best suited to different soil types. I’m also studying business to learn how to manage operations effectively, since farming is, at its core, a business,” Machethe explains.
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Like many farmers, Machethe has already experienced setbacks. “The biggest challenge we have ever experienced is climate change. There is a lot of flowing water going to the river, and that water passes through the farm. It has wiped those crops away, and sometimes it causes them to wilt.”
He has also battled heatwaves and crop diseases, but perseverance remains his driving force.
Machethe dreams of running a large-scale farm one day. “My dream is to have more than 20 hectares to operate, and I want to create jobs for young people. We have a high rate of unemployment in South Africa. So I want to create jobs on the farm for people, and also provide our nearby villages with food.”
Beyond business, Machethe’s vision carries a strong humanitarian side. He doesn’t see farming only as a way to generate income, but also as a means to uplift those around him. “Maybe sometimes I can offer the orphans free food,” he explains.
His dream is to use his farm not just to supply markets and create jobs, but also to support vulnerable members of his community by ensuring that no one goes hungry.
Finding your passion & the right mentor
Despite being the only student at his school interested in farming, Machethe encourages others to follow their passion. “My advice is, you must not listen to what people tell you. Deep down in my heart, I know I can do this.”
He encourages young people like himself to connect with others who are already pursuing the same passion, ask questions, and visit farms to gain practical knowledge from their experiences.
For Machethe, his mentor remains a guiding light, shaping not only his farming journey but also his outlook on life. The lessons he has received extend far beyond planting and harvesting; they include resilience, discipline, and the importance of perseverance in agriculture.
“I really thank God that he gave me my mentor to be in my life. Because having him in my life is a very, very, very huge blessing,” he says with gratitude.
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