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N. Cape learners bring A-game to AgriCareers exhibition

From Douglas to Kimberley in the Northern Cape, learners embraced the chance to learn more about the agriculture sector at Food For Mzansi’s AgriCareers roadshow. Among the top speakers counted a farmer, veterinarian, plant scientist and bank manager

Staff Reporterby Staff Reporter
21st April 2022
Ghoema award-winning rapper and Arendsvlei actor Jerome Rex with some of the learners who attended Food For Mzansi’s AgriCareers roadshow in Douglas, Northern Cape. Photo: Ivor Price/Food For Mzansi

Ghoema award-winning rapper and Arendsvlei actor Jerome Rex with some of the learners who attended Food For Mzansi’s AgriCareers roadshow in Douglas, Northern Cape. Photo: Ivor Price/Food For Mzansi

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A leading veterinary surgeon urged learners at Food For Mzansi’s AgriCareers roadshow to, one day, co-create workspaces that are free of racial, gender and any other forms of discrimination.

Dr Priscilla Muradas, a researcher and founder of the Douglas Veterinary Clinic and Vetshop, was one of the many agricultural experts addressing learners from across the Northern Cape at the exhibition hosted by Douglas High School today.

The AgriCareers roadshow – now in its third year – is currently underway with exhibitions in the Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, North West, Gauteng and Limpopo still to come. Organisers anticipate that by September up to 20 000 learners would have been introduced to the A to Z of study and career opportunities in agriculture.

Learners applauded Muradas after her moving account of how she struggled to be accepted as a women veterinarian. When she just started out more than 20 years ago, many men ridiculed her, and underestimated her abilities and expertise.

Dr Priscilla Muradas, a veterinary surgeon at Douglas Veterinary Clinic, encourage learners to work hard to gain access to the University of Pretoria’s faculty for veterinary science. Photo: Kobus Louwrens/Food For Mzansi
Dr Priscilla Muradas, a veterinary surgeon at Douglas Veterinary Clinic, encourage learners to work hard to gain access to the University of Pretoria’s faculty for veterinary science. Photo: Kobus Louwrens/Food For Mzansi

 “The only way that I could overcome this was by delivering quality work. Today, my research in embryo transfers in anovulatory recipient mares and ovulation in quarter horse mares through the use of deslorelin acetate and human chorionic gonadotrophin is freely available on the internet. Just go and Google it,” she said.

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The A to Z of agriculture careers

Besides Muradas, learners also used the opportunity to learn more about the careers of plant scientists Dr Adré Minnaar-Ontong and Diana Mngomezulu, microbial ecologist Dr Chrisna Steyn, journalists Ivor Price and Kobus Louwrens and livestock farmer Zabion de Wee.

Minnaar-Ontong heads up plant breeding at the University of the Free State. “I could never imagine that I’d end up working in agricultural science. My parents didn’t own a farm, but luckily I married someone with one,” she quipped.

Learners listened attentively as she described plant breeding as the science of manipulating heritability in plants for human benefit. Manipulation, she explained, can be done by conventional breeding techniques or on DNA level with genetic engineering.

ALSO READ: 500 Free State learners inspired at AgriCareers kick-off

Dr Adre Minnaar-Ontong, head of plant breeding at the University of the Free State, encouraged learners to consider the wonderful world of science. Photo: Ivor Price/Food For Mzansi
Dr Adre Minnaar-Ontong, head of plant breeding at the University of the Free State, encouraged learners to consider the wonderful world of science. Photo: Ivor Price/Food For Mzansi

Meanwhile, De Wee, who is also the new business development manager at John Deere, was also met with applause after he encouraged learners to not only explore tertiary studies, but also to contribute to food security in the country.

The dynamic agriculturist holds a Master’s degree in sustainable agriculture from the University of the Free State and was also a trainer in agriculture management, tractors, harvesters and sprayers at the Peritum Agri Institute in Bloemfontein.

De Wee mentioned that agriculture was a precision science that required top class skills to succeed. This means that budding farmers not only need to be at the forefront of new technological developments but be able to operate these systems and equipment to their utmost capacity. As such, Peritum offers advanced equipment operator training to assist new farmers in operating John Deere’s sophisticated machinery.

Northern Cape agriculture learners with Odette Shepperson from Peritum Agri Institute and Zabion de Wee, a farmer and new business development manager at John Deere. Photo: Ivor Price/Food For Mzansi
Northern Cape agriculture learners with Odette Shepperson from Peritum Agri Institute and Zabion de Wee, a farmer and new business development manager at John Deere. Photo: Ivor Price/Food For Mzansi

The Northern Cape leg of the AgriCareers roadshow was hosted by the Ghoema award-winning hip-hop star and Arendsvlei actor Jerome Rex.

“You shouldn’t be asking what the best place is to study agriculture,” he told learners during a panel discussion with representatives of Peritum, the University of the Free State and AGRICOLLEGES international.

“Instead, you should be asking, ‘What institution is the right place for me?’ The best institution for you might differ from the best institution for me. A number of factors influence this decision.”

Representing AGRICOLLEGES international, Donovan Erasmus encouraged learners to consider e-learning which will allow them to work full-time while completing their qualifications. Photo: Kobus Louwrens/Food For Mzansi
Representing AGRICOLLEGES international, Donovan Erasmus encouraged learners to consider e-learning which will allow them to work full-time while completing their qualifications. Photo: Kobus Louwrens/Food For Mzansi

From insurance to banking…

Other programme highlights included talks by Liché Strydom, a product developer at King Price Insurance, and Waseela Botha, a hub manager at Standard Bank.

Learners were most inspired by Botha who relayed how she worked herself up from a till packer to managing a number of Standard Bank branches in the region. The bank’s mobile banking vehicle was also popular with learners who wanted to open savings accounts, and also enquire about loans for their future studies.

Learners visiting Standard Bank’s mobile banking vehicle at the AgriCareers roadshow learnt that student loans can be used to pay for tuition fees, text books, accommodation and study equipment. Photo: Kobus Louwrens/Food For Mzansi
Learners visiting Standard Bank’s mobile banking vehicle at the AgriCareers roadshow learnt that student loans can be used to pay for tuition fees, text books, accommodation and study equipment. Photo: Kobus Louwrens/Food For Mzansi

Meanwhile, Strydom reiterated the importance of insurance in the agriculture sector. Among other interesting career possibilities, he highlighted opportunities in risk management. Farmers, he said, need insurance from the likes of King Price to ensure that they stay in business. Those who assess risk for a living, use management systems to ensure that crops and animals are healthy and productive.

King Price provides specialist agricultural cover for all farmers’ vehicles, implements and property for both personal and business assets under just one policy. It covers everything from stock accumulation to loss of water and spread of fire to power surges and damage because of lightning strikes.

Liché Strydom, marquess polymath at King Price Agriculture, explains the linkages between the agriculture sector and insurance to Northern Cape learners attending the AgriCareers roadshow. Photo: Kobus Louwrens/Food For Mzansi
Liché Strydom, marquess polymath at King Price Agriculture, explains the linkages between the agriculture sector and insurance to Northern Cape learners attending the AgriCareers roadshow. Photo: Kobus Louwrens/Food For Mzansi

Lights, camera, action!

Schools, companies and other organisations who wish to participate in any of the upcoming AgriCareers exhibitions can email info@foodformzansi.co.za. Exhibitions for the Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, North West, Gauteng and Limpopo are currently being planned.

ALSO READ: 300 W. Cape learners inspired at AgriCareers exhibition

  • AgriCareers in Douglas, Northern Cape. Photo: Ivor Price/Food For Mzansi
  • AgriCareers in Douglas, Northern Cape. Photo: Ivor Price/Food For Mzansi
  • Shadrick Kalo, manager of the Siyancuma circuit, also attended the AgriCareers roadshow in Douglas in the Northern Cape. All learners received Food For Mzansi’s agriculture career guide. Photo: Ivor Price/Food For Mzansi
  • Northern Cape learners posing with some of the goodies they received from Standard Bank, a proud partner of Food For Mzansi’s nationwide AgriCareers roadshow. Photo: Ivor Price/Food For Mzansi
  • AgriCareers in Douglas, Northern Cape. Photo: Kobus Louwrens/Food For Mzansi
  • Waseela Botha, a hub branch manager for Standard Bank, introduced learners to the many ways the bank can support them to fund their tertiary studies. Photo: Ivor Price/Food For Mzansi
  • AgriCareers in Douglas, Northern Cape. Photo: Ivor Price/Food For Mzansi
  • AgriCareers in Douglas, Northern Cape. Photo: Ivor Price/Food For Mzansi
  • AgriCareers in Douglas, Northern Cape. Photo: Ivor Price/Food For Mzansi
  • Dr Chrisna Steyn represented at the University of the Free State at Food For Mzansi’s AgriCareers roadshow in Douglas, Northern Cape. Photo: Ivor Price/Food For Mzansi
    Dr Chrisna Steyn represented at the University of the Free State at Food For Mzansi’s AgriCareers roadshow in Douglas, Northern Cape. Photo: Ivor Price/Food For Mzansi
  • AgriCareers in Douglas, Northern Cape. Photo: Ivor Price/Food For Mzansi
  • AgriCareers in Douglas, Northern Cape. Photo: Ivor Price/Food For Mzansi
  • AgriCareers in Douglas, Northern Cape. Photo: Ivor Price/Food For Mzansi
  • AgriCareers in Douglas, Northern Cape. Photo: Ivor Price/Food For Mzansi

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