Mother-daughter farmers cultivate heritage, not just crops

As South Africa celebrates the role played by women in the liberation struggle, mothers and daughters who are farming together have learned to trust the process and hold one another accountable in their journey to produce food for the nation.

Lesedi Masebe, a vegetable farmer based in the Vaal in Gauteng, said her mother, Tshidi Masebe, taught her that farming was a game of patience, listening and then responding.

“I came from a professional chef’s background, so things moved quickly daily. It was quite the adjustment for me, but I’m slowly getting used to it.

“Farming with Mama at times can be a challenge. We have different leadership styles and at times have different priorities when it comes to what needs to be done or what the focus should be throughout the season.
Lesedi Masebe

“It’s also a great learning curve because I jumped in at the deep end. I came in right after my father’s passing. It was a challenge, and I felt I couldn’t do it most days, but my mom held my hand the whole way through and kept encouraging me and still does. I always defer to her and her resources,” she said.

Thriving women in agriculture

Masebe said that in the journey of farming with her mother, she instilled in her the importance of waiting for the right time to plant, nurture, and harvest both in agriculture and in life.

“Early mornings, long days, and steady effort are part of farming. My mom has shown me that consistent work, not shortcuts, yields the best results.

“Embarking on this journey with my mom, I’ve learnt that farming isn’t just about profit, it’s about feeding people, supporting neighbours, and building connections.

“By working side by side, I have a deep understanding and appreciation that I’m not just part of a business but a heritage worth continuing, turning farming into both a livelihood and a family story,” she said.

Gerda Beukes, who does mixed farming with her mother, Elize Beukes, outside Keimoes in the Northern Cape, explains that her mother has shown her the importance of good record-keeping, proper timing for planting and harvesting, and taking care of the soil and animals as if they were part of the family.

Gerda Beukes at her family farm in Keimoes in the Northern Cape. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

“Farming with my mother is inspiring and challenging in the best way. My mother brings years of wisdom and a calm presence, while I bring energy and new ideas. Working together has built not just our farm, but also our relationship. We balance each other out perfectly.

“I’ve learned resilience because not every season is kind, and that teamwork really matters. I’ve also learned that success in farming comes from paying attention to small details, whether it’s the health of a single plant or the well-being of a single animal,” she said.

Lessons in family farming

Meanwhile, a vegetable farmer in Mpumalanga, Nonpumelelo Sibanyoni, said her mother, Thoko Sibanyoni, nurtured her to get into farming and develop a love for working the land.

Nompumelelo Sibanyoni and her mother, Thoko. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

“I was raised in the location, having no knowledge of farming, but she made it easy for me. She taught me the importance of hard work and being independent.

“It has been a rewarding yet challenging journey; however, despite it all, working with my mother has created an everlasting bond between the two of us. She has taught me that a breakthrough might not be today, tomorrow, but one day it will happen,” she said.

Following the passing of her siblings, Sibanyoni saw it fit to work closer with her mother to ensure that the legacy of the family does not fade away.