Farming in the Kalahari is no easy feat, but Lesedi Serapelwane is making it work. From beef production to small stock and crops, diversification keeps her business resilient. In this edition of Farmer Mentor, she shares how she’s also opening doors for young farmers across Africa through her Moraking Farm Camp.
Lesedi Serapelwane, a third-generation farmer, is now at the helm of her family’s commercial operation in the arid Kalahari region of the North West, proving that relationships and adaptability remain central to long-term farming success.
Reflecting on a childhood spent accompanying her father, Koonethebe Serapelwane, to the fields, she says, “Farming is who we are, it is in our DNA.”
Despite this strong agricultural foundation, her career initially took a different path. She studied media and journalism and spent over a decade in Johannesburg before returning home when her parents fell ill.
“I made the decision to leave my nine-to-five, not only to care for my parents, but to farm alongside my father. That is where my full-time journey in agriculture truly began,” she shares.
After her father’s passing in 2025, Serapelwane assumed full management of the family farm. She did not anticipate that overnight she would be the one making all decisions, ensuring the animals were cared for and that the business continued to operate smoothly.
She stepped into a structured, functional operation but took on full accountability, continuing to build on the systems that had already been established.
“When I see our calves selling well at market, I know we are doing a good job. The farm is still fully functional, and we are still pushing forward,” she says.
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Farming in harsh conditions
The family operates a mixed enterprise in the Kalahari within the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, an area characterised by low rainfall, extreme heat, and isolation. Their core enterprise is beef production, supported by small stock and cropping.
“We farm in very harsh conditions. Adaptability is everything,” she explains. To meet these challenges, the herd is primarily made up of Bonsmara cattle. The business supplies both formal auction markets and local demand for cultural and social events, ensuring diversified income streams.
Serapelwane highlights diversification as essential to sustaining cash flow. “Beef production is not a monthly income. You have to wait for calves to grow, so how do you keep the business running in between?”
Their approach includes expanding goat production alongside sheep, hosting small stock auctions, and producing maize and peanuts for sale and feed. “Producing our own feed reduces costs, and even manure becomes part of the system. Everything works together.” This integrated model supports both efficiency and resilience.
Relationships, mentorship and community
Strong relationships are central to the farm’s growth, as farming cannot be done alone and relies on mentorship, support, and community. Following her father’s passing, this network became even more important, highlighting the value of family, mentors, and neighbours for guidance.
Community trust also plays a key role in securing market access and ensuring farm security. “You must be respectful, but also firm. You cannot build a business with people who do not respect the direction you are taking,” she says.
While continuing her family’s legacy, Serapelwane is actively shaping her own. She founded the Moraking Farm Camp, an annual initiative that brings together aspiring and established farmers from across South Africa and neighbouring countries. The camp has hosted over 300 participants, providing a space for learning, sharing ideas, and exposing people to opportunities in agriculture.
“I want young people, especially black women, to know that there is space for them in this industry.”
She also emphasises the broader opportunities within agriculture, noting that it is not just about livestock. The sector requires accountants, marketers, and innovators. Without proper record-keeping, funding is difficult to access, and without effective marketing, a business cannot grow.
The camp has also sparked enterprise development, including the establishment of a community-driven small stock auction.
A woman taking her place in agriculture
Serapelwane is candid about the realities of being a young black female farmer. “You are often underestimated. People question your ability before they see your results,” she says.
Her mission is to inspire more women to enter and thrive in agriculture, recognising that women have always played a vital role and need to claim their space and ownership in the sector.
“Not everyone will believe in what you are doing at the beginning. But if you remain consistent, people will begin to see your vision,” she shares.
Above all, she encourages perseverance. “Do not stop because you are challenged, grow because you are challenged.”
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