From zero to 1 400 hectares, the Masiu family’s story is one of grit, teamwork and growth. Free State farmer Vincent Masiu shares how they navigated droughts and debt through meticulous record-keeping and strategic partnerships, and building a lasting legacy in this Farmer Mentor episode.
Free State farmer Vincent Masiu is already managing a rapidly expanding mixed farming operation built on resilience, collaboration and a willingness to ask for help.
Farming alongside his father, Ntate Oujan Masiu, and brother, Bush, he represents a new generation determined to turn land reform opportunities into sustainable commercial businesses.
Masiu originally aimed for a banking and accounting career, but in grade 10, his father encouraged him to engage with the family farm. With decades of farming experience but no land ownership, his father applied for a land reform farm in 2011, which the family successfully received in 2017.
“That moment changed everything for us. I told my father I would study agriculture and come back to help build the business,” Masiu says.
He enrolled at the Central University of Technology, completed postgraduate studies in agricultural management and returned to the farm full-time. “I realised I didn’t want to be a researcher or lecturer,” he says. “I love being out in the fields and driving tractors. Farming is where I belong.”
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A family-run operation
The family farm, named Driekop, meaning “three heads”, reflects the partnership between Masiu, his father and his brother.
“My father is the CEO,” he explains. “My brother focuses more on livestock, while I take responsibility for cropping, but we work together on everything.”
The business expanded significantly after the family secured an additional farm through Land Bank’s blended finance, doubling the production area to about 1 400 ha. For the 2025/26 season, they are focusing mainly on maize, with a smaller sunflower area. Grain is sold to Afgri regional silos, while the livestock enterprise is being developed into a breeding operation.
To stabilise cash flow, the family plans to add layers and eventually irrigated potato production, depending on water availability. “Our goal is to become true mixed farmers. We want grains, livestock, vegetables and layers so we have multiple streams of income,” he says.
Scaling up from nothing
The journey into commercial farming was not easy. When the family first received their land reform farm, they had only 70 head of cattle and no machinery.
“We didn’t even have tractors or implements. We had to start from scratch,” Masiu recalls.
Support from a farmer development programme helped them plant their first 100 ha of maize and soybeans. They gradually acquired second-hand equipment, often from neighbouring farmers who had known Masiu’s father for years.
“We learned to fix equipment ourselves,” he says. “That helped us save money and become more independent.”
A severe drought in the 2023/24 season reduced maize yields to about one tonne per hectare, causing major losses. The development programme refinanced its production loan, allowing the business to recover the following season.
Masiu stresses that transparency and careful record-keeping are key to farm success, advising all farmers, regardless of size, to document everything and show clear plans for recovery and growth.
Farming has also taught him the importance of confidence and persistence. “As a farmer, you must be confident in your work. Even after a drought, you must be able to sit with your lender and say, ‘Refinance me and I’ll pay this back over the next seasons.’”
Masiu’s confidence has allowed his family to negotiate refinancing instead of selling livestock to cover debts, and he applies the same principle when marketing cattle, holding firm on prices and knowing his numbers. He also emphasises the importance of strong relationships in agriculture.
Principles that guide his farming journey
Respect, humility and honesty guide his leadership style. He encourages farmworkers to share ideas and suggest improvements, drawing on their experience.
“Sometimes they’ve worked on farms longer than I’ve been alive,” he says. “If they have a better method, we try it.”
When faced with challenges, Masiu focuses on finding solutions, seeking advice from others and exploring alternatives rather than being defeated. He aims to inspire the next generation of farmers, advising newcomers to start small, gain practical experience, and run every farm like a proper business.
“It’s not easy, but don’t give up when doors close. Sometimes rejection just means there is a better opportunity waiting,” he says.
