• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • News
  • Lifestyle

With a degree in the bag, Keneilwe still chose farming

3rd Mar 2021
Leave your comfort zone and make money, says foodie

Leave your comfort zone and start hustling, says foodie

1st Jul 2022
Recipe: Make Makile’s crispy chicken wings

Recipe: Make Makile’s crispy chicken wings

1st Jul 2022
Experts have warned farmers to prepare for another steep fuel price increase this month. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Caught in a price spiral: Farmers brace for major losses

1st Jul 2022
Parts of the Western Cape, such as the Central Karoo, are still experiencing drought. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Drought-burdened farmers receive R48m. in fodder

1st Jul 2022
Through his company, Iboyana agri farming, Mhlengi Ngcobo is changing the lives of youth and women in his community. Photo:Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Self-taught farmer doing his bit for the greater good

30th Jun 2022
Research has revealed that less than three in 10 farmers in the upper parts of Africa use technology. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Technology not a priority for Africa’s smallholder farmers

30th Jun 2022
The Mamahlola Communal Property Association was among the first to be established in 2000, but due to underinvestment, their land soon turned into a symbol of government’s land restoration failure. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

The poverty-fighting tool that’s not fighting poverty

30th Jun 2022
Langeberg & Ashton Foods provides employment for around 250 permanent and 4 300 seasonal staff. Photo: Supplied

ICYMI: Search for fruit factory buyer continues

30th Jun 2022
Michele Carelse, founder, and CEO of Feelgood Health, Aquaponics horticulturalist, PJ Phiri Gwengo, Dr Didi Claassen, Afrivets executive for technical and marketing support, and Sibusiso Xaba, co-founder and CEO of Africa Cannabis Advisory Group. Photo:Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Podcast: Learn the basics of growing microgreens

29th Jun 2022
John Deere Launches Africa’s Largest Capacity Combine. Photo:Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Get inside Africa’s largest combine harvester

30th Jun 2022
Food scraps and yard waste together currently make up more than 30% of what we throw away, and could be composted instead. Babalwa Mpayipheli uses the technique of bokashi composting. Photo: Supplird/Health For Mzansi

How to make compost with kitchen scraps

29th Jun 2022
Archive photo. The drought in a region of the Eastern Cape is already having a devastating impact on urban farmers. Photo: Supplied/NSPCA

E. Cape drought: ‘No hope. Our animals are dying’

29th Jun 2022
  • Home
  • News
  • Changemakers
  • Lifestyle
  • Farmer’s Inside Track
  • Food for Thought
11 GLOBAL MEDIA AWARDS
Fri, Jul 1, 2022
Food For Mzansi
  • Home
  • News
  • Changemakers
    • All
    • AgriCareers
    • Entrepreneurs
    • Farmers
    • Groundbreakers
    • Innovators
    • Inspiration
    • It Takes a Village
    • Mentors
    • Movers and Shakers
    • Partnerships
    Through his company, Iboyana agri farming, Mhlengi Ngcobo is changing the lives of youth and women in his community. Photo:Supplied/Food For Mzansi

    Self-taught farmer doing his bit for the greater good

    Reggie Kambule from Villiers in the Free State runs a 185 hectare farm where he breeds livestock and cultivates maize. Photo:Supplied/Food For Mzansi

    Engineer-turned farmer takes pride in good results

    Agripreneur 101: Sweet success for jam producer

    Agripreneur 101: Sweet success for jam producer

    Real Housewife turns passion for wine into a business

    Real Housewife turns passion for wine into a business

    David Mthombeni is building an agriculture empire for his family.Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

    Farmer gets his hands dirty while building family empire

    Gauteng farmers give youth a leg-up in agriculture

    Women in farming give youth a leg up in agriculture

    Watch out, these young farmers are on fire!

    Watch out, these young farmers are on fire!

    Unati Speirs has vast experience in agri-business strategy and business funding and was recently appointed as a new board director for Hortgro. Photos: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

    Youngest Hortgro hotshot takes transformation to heart

    Prof Kennedy Mnisi a dedicated young man who wants to help livestock farmers with animal health education to prevent diseases. Picture. Supplied/ Food For Mzansi.

    Animal scientist works hard to earn top dog status

  • Lifestyle
  • Farmer’s Inside Track
  • Food for Thought
No Result
View All Result
Food For Mzansi

With a degree in the bag, Keneilwe still chose farming

by Noluthando Ngcakani
3rd Mar 2021
in Movers and Shakers
Reading Time: 7 mins read
A A

Keneilwe Raphesu (23) farms alongside her fatheron Mogalemone Farm in Holfontein in the North West. Raphesu believes more work needs to be put into encouraging especially women and youth to get up and farm, as farming has the power to break the shackles of poverty. Photo: Supplied/ Food For Mzansi

Growing up in the village of Ga-Mokgopo in Limpopo, Keneilwe Raphesu (23) had always loved the adventure in rural living. There was a sense of freedom that she clung on to even after she moved closer to Johannesburg at age nine.

Raphesu recalls spending hours watching her grandparents, Moses and Theledi Maile, tend to their land in the farming community.

Raphesu
Co-owner of Mogalemone farm Keneilwe Raphesu (23) believes that more women need to be encouraged to farm. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

They came from a generation of farmers and passed down their own skills to her father, former Limpopo University lecturer Dr Mamabolo Raphesu.

As the youngest of four children, Raphesu, who is now a young farmer in her own right, would often mimic her father’s every move.

ADVERTISEMENT

She even swopped academia for farming, just like her father did, even swopping her own academic pursuits to farm like him.

Together, the duo farm on land leased from government in Holfontein, 90 kilometres from the North West hub of Potchefstroom.

“He (dad) taught me everything,” she says. “Having the urge to learn more about agriculture was where my inspiration to farm grew. I just started loving farming and decided I might as well go ahead and join my father.”

“Agriculture is a life-force in our communities. you can see a doctor every month, but you eat three times a day and that is all because of a farmer.”

Today, the young farmer takes the reins as second in command of Mogalemone farm, a 405-hectare mixed farming enterprise home to cattle, pigs and hundreds of hectares of soya beans, yellow and white maize meal.

She admits that she never imagined she would take on the role of farmer. Instead, she set her sights upon corporate South Africa.

ALSO READ: Young farmer inspires village youth with backyard nursery

“I wanted to become an economist and probably work for the South African Reserve Bank (SARB). It is still a dream but with a different scenery, a dream I just continued on the farm,” she says.

Life on a farm is a school of patience; you can't hurry the crops or make an ox in two days."

God bless my passion👩🏻‍🌾 ❤️#farmerbae #YoungAndFarming pic.twitter.com/iyE37i9Z3e

— @Keneilwe_farmerette (@13Keneilwe) February 25, 2021

‘Why aren’t you young and farming?’

After matriculating from the Suncrest High School in 2015, Raphesu went on to graduate from the North West University in 2019. She is currently pursuing a second degree in behavioural science and labour relations.

While she continues her studies she has, like her father, swopped the classroom for the fields.

ADVERTISEMENT
Raphesu
Dr Mamabolo Raphesu (73) and his daughter Keneilwe Raphesu farm together on the Mogalemone Farm in Holfontein in the North West. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Despite being one of the toughest and most demanding industries, Raphesu says agriculture is no doubt one of the best career paths to take if you are looking to reach for the stars of excellence.

“Agriculture is a life-force in our communities. You can see a doctor every month, but you eat three times a day and that is all because of a farmer,” she says proudly.

Raphesu believes that agriculture is multifaceted and holds the key to unlocking infinite opportunities for youth to grow. Despite its power to stimulate growth, the sector remains one of the most undermined, especially amongst youth.

“There is this stigma that it is for men, and that women hardly do well in the sector. People believe agriculture is for people who are not educated.

“As a woman of colour, not everyone believes you can manage a farm or even build an enterprise on your own. For me, agriculture is not about only proving a point, but also about creating employment.

ALSO READ: Resilient young farmer refuses to succumb to defeat

“We encourage learners to become doctors and lawyers, why can’t we encourage them to become farmers?”

“Agriculture is much more than proving a point that women can farm.”

She acknowledges that young starter farmers face a huge battle in in acquiring land.

“If we are going to encourage them to become farmers let us work towards giving them something, let us empower them and encourage them to join us in building food security,” she says.

The world is your oyster

When you become a farmer, the world is your proverbial oyster. “You become the manager, you become the worker, you become the vet, you become the scientist.”

There will always be naysayers who doubt the skills of women in agriculture, Raphesu says.

Keneilwe Raphesu takes the reins as second in command of the Mogalemone Farm in Holsfontien in the North West. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

“Agriculture is much more than proving a point that women can farm.

“You get undermined, and you also have to go above and beyond to prove yourself. There is always a stigma associated with women in agriculture, people believe because I am a woman, I can’t do it. We also have the abilities and the capabilities to do it. So, why not?

Never allow yourself to become discouraged or unmotivated by doubters, “As long as you know what you want in life, you are unstoppable.

“You cannot say the name Keneilwe Raphesu without the three P’s in mind: persistence, patience and passion. You need to be focused; you need to be disciplined. I farm because it is my passion, not because it is a trend or a hobby, it is something I want to expand not only for me but also those who will come after me.”

You can never learn to much about agriculture, Raphesu believes. She advises up-and-coming young farmers to grab hold of all learning opportunities when they avail themselves.

“Work with the little that you have, be empowered and be willing to learn. We cannot start from the top, you start from the bottom and work your way up.

“Each and every step you can take, each teachable moment, whether it is on social media or short courses, whatever, you can use it, it is an opportunity. It will open gates for you some way or somehow,” she says.

First aid kits are a must have on the farm. Sometimes we suffer from allergies,chemical burns or injuries. We deal with animals there are possibilities of infections or bits from dogs and certain animals.

Also do some maintenance on the farm. Keep it clean 😉😎 pic.twitter.com/XwDE7wrDke

— @Keneilwe_farmerette (@13Keneilwe) February 23, 2021

Raphesu’s 5 farming laws

  • Allow yourself the opportunity to fail. For someone who did not study agriculture, I failed a lot, because there were certain things that I did not even know. I was afraid of livestock! When you allow yourself the opportunity to fail, you will not feel like a failure, you will have the urge to learn and add more knowledge and to make things right.
  • Let passion be your driver. If you are passionate about livestock, grow that livestock. If you are passionate about planting, grow plants.
  • Be realistic, set your goals and work towards your breakthrough or the profit you want to reach. Be realistic of what you have. We are facing tough times economically, there are certain things you will not have access to and need to make do without.
  • Work with what you have. Not everyone has land, use the little you have to reach for your goals.
  • Do not stop wanting to excel. No matter how difficult it is, make sure that you excel and be persistent with what you do.

Sundays with the Squad 😍 pic.twitter.com/mnGPNjyE1s

— @Keneilwe_farmerette (@13Keneilwe) February 21, 2021
Tags: Dr Mamabolo RaphesuFemale farmerKeneilwe RaphesuLimpopo UniversityMogalemoneMoses MailaNorth West UniversityNWUTheledi Maila
Previous Post

We meet SA’s first farmer to exceed trade standards

Next Post

Inside the theatre for innovative heart surgery on dogs

Noluthando Ngcakani

Noluthando Ngcakani

With roots in the Northern Cape, this Kimberley Diamond has had a passion for telling human interest stories since she could speak her first words. A foodie by heart, she began her journalistic career as an intern at the SABC where she discovered her love for telling agricultural, community and nature related stories. Not a stranger to a challenge Ngcakani will go above and beyond to tell your truth.

Related Posts

Blooming Limpopo farmer happily answers her calling

Blooming Limpopo farmer happily answers her calling

by Zolani Sinxo
6th Jun 2022
0

INSPIRATION: Her father planted the seed and Matome Cynthia Mokgobu made it happen. Determined to be her own boss, this...

Farming professor gears youth for digital opportunities

Farming professor gears youth for digital opportunities

by Tiisetso Manoko
11th Apr 2022
0

With a PhD in agricultural economics, Professor Victor Mmbengwa relies on more than just a gut feeling to grow his...

Keneilwe’s pics say it all. You can’t fake passion!

Keneilwe’s pics say it all. You can’t fake passion!

by Staff Reporter
25th Oct 2021
0

This week's farm photo story comes from RPO/NERPO Emerging Farmer of the Year Keneilwe Raphesu. Every pic has passion written...

Poor weather conditions across the globe are affecting the supply of peppers in many markets, however this wont affect Mzansi’s bell pepper prices. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Global crisis ‘won’t affect Mzansi pepper prices’

by Sinesipho Tom
14th Jun 2021
0

Poor weather conditions across the globe are affecting the supply of peppers in many markets, according to Fresh Plaza. In...

Next Post
OVAH surgery team

Inside the theatre for innovative heart surgery on dogs

Parts of the Western Cape, such as the Central Karoo, are still experiencing drought. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi
News

Drought-burdened farmers receive R48m. in fodder

by Staff Reporter
1st Jul 2022
0

In case you missed it: Parts of the Western Cape are experiencing ongoing drought conditions. The provincial government stepped in...

Read more
Through his company, Iboyana agri farming, Mhlengi Ngcobo is changing the lives of youth and women in his community. Photo:Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Self-taught farmer doing his bit for the greater good

30th Jun 2022
Research has revealed that less than three in 10 farmers in the upper parts of Africa use technology. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Technology not a priority for Africa’s smallholder farmers

30th Jun 2022
The Mamahlola Communal Property Association was among the first to be established in 2000, but due to underinvestment, their land soon turned into a symbol of government’s land restoration failure. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

The poverty-fighting tool that’s not fighting poverty

30th Jun 2022
Langeberg & Ashton Foods provides employment for around 250 permanent and 4 300 seasonal staff. Photo: Supplied

ICYMI: Search for fruit factory buyer continues

30th Jun 2022

Podcast: Learn the basics of growing microgreens

ICYMI: Historic kickstart for Engcobo livestock economy

Fresh produce markets ‘at tipping point’

Save on production costs with conservation agriculture

‘Inhumane farmworker transport must stop’

‘Our town will be a dead town’

THE NEW FACE OF SOUTH AFRICAN AGRICULTURE

With 11 global awards in the first three years of its existence, Food For Mzansi is much more than an agriculture publication. It is a movement, unashamedly saluting the unsung heroes of South African agriculture. We believe in the power of agriculture to promote nation building and social cohesion by telling stories that are often overlooked by broader society.

Leave your comfort zone and start hustling, says foodie

Recipe: Make Makile’s crispy chicken wings

Caught in a price spiral: Farmers brace for major losses

Drought-burdened farmers receive R48m. in fodder

Self-taught farmer doing his bit for the greater good

Technology not a priority for Africa’s smallholder farmers

  • Our Story
  • Contact Us
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright

Contact us
Office: +27 21 879 1824
WhatsApp line: +27 81 889 9032
Marketing: +27 71 147 0388
News: info@foodformzansi.co.za
Advertising: sales@foodformzansi.co.za

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Changemakers
  • Lifestyle
  • Farmer’s Inside Track
  • Food for Thought

Copyright © 2021 Food for Mzansi

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
Go to mobile version