The long, hot, and dry summers of Pampierstad in the Northern Cape could stand as a potential challenge for any commercialising farmer, but not for crop and livestock farmer Tebogo Nxamashe.
The firstborn of 21 siblings recalls tough times growing up. The farm was the only way his family could make a living and the food they ate was produced from their backyard garden.
“Growing up wasn’t easy at all for all of us as a family,” he says. “Only three people were working at that time, my father and two aunts. The responsibility was huge for them because they had to provide for all of us at that time. I had to work at an early age because we needed food on the table.”
Putting food on the table
Facing tough times in his early years, he found farming to be the best answer. Surprisingly, his love for farming began at a young age, and since then, he’s stuck with it.
Today, Nxamashe is into both crop and livestock farming, raising cattle, pigs and goats while growing onions, cabbage, spinach, gem squash, tomatoes, and butternuts. His more than ten years as a farmworker turned out to be a valuable foundation for his successful new farming venture.
“I started to work on the farms in 1998. Since then I found my passion in doing both crop and livestock. It wasn’t easy, but it got me where I am.
“I really love and enjoy what I do and this has kept me driven to achieve my goals as a farmer,” he says.
While the journey has been rewarding, Nxamashe has come across multiple challenges including the harsh weather conditions in Pampierstad. He explains that it takes wisdom and experience to be able to care for both livestock and crops in very warm weather conditions.
Turning challenges into lessons
“Farming is not easy at all. But despite all the challenges, if you love what you do and have passion for it, all the challenges become lessons,” he adds.
Nxamashe’s main challenges are water, land, and money. Besides that, he faces problems like not having enough money, lacking machinery, and not finding available farmland. Even though he’s been trying to get land since 2021, Nxamashe says it’s been tough and tiring.
“We are suffering from not having access to water here in Pampierstad. Every department I go to for help to acquire land does not help.”
Not having his own land has caused him significant losses. He lost six cows, 21 pigs, four goats, and three sheep due to theft in the area. Despite reaching out for help since 2021, he says his requests for assistance have been ignored.
Remaining positive
However, it’s not all doom and gloom for Nxamashe as he remains hopeful and positive for his future and sees himself growing his farming business to the point of providing youth employment opportunities for his community.
“I know what it was like when I needed a job at a young age, so it would mean a lot to make it easier for others when I can,” he says.
“I also want to create a network that will help young upcoming businesses to grow and share the knowledge I acquired, and it would be a pleasure to write a book about farming so that I can share my knowledge with everyone.”
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Bucketloads of fulfilment
Nxamashe has a deep affection for every aspect of farming, even though he faced numerous challenges. Despite the difficulties in getting assistance, his strong desire is to see his company grow and he will not give up until he sees his dreams realised. This stems from his 25 years of experience, where perseverance and patience have been guiding him, he says.
“Farming is not a get-rich scheme. You have to work hard to reach your goals because challenges are there as solutions, so I found it is critical to be determined and dedicated,” he shares.
Farming brings Nxamashe a lot of happiness and fulfilment. It’s not just a way to make a living but a deep passion for him. If he didn’t have farming, he feels like he would be lost and unsure about his future.
For him, working in the fields does not just mean growing crops, it is a way for him to find purpose. It is like a safe and joyful place that makes his life complete.
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