As the year draws to a close, it is safe to say that 2022 has been a crazy rollercoaster of a year that very few would like to repeat. No one agrees more than Mzansi’s farmers, our food producers and agricultural decision makers, who say they are ready to wind down and wave the chaotic year goodbye.
But while some are ready to unwind and enjoy downtime with family and friends, others prefer to keep a close eye on the farm.
Food For Mzansi caught up with farmers and agricultural role players from across the country to find out what they have planned for the holidays.
Let’s just say farmers might be the most dedicated and hardworking people we know, but they sure know a thing or two about letting loose and having fun.
Family is everything
For KwaZulu-Natal farmer and agricultural consultant Andile Ngcobo, farming is a very important part of his life and a big part of his identity. But he’ll tell you, family always comes first.
It’s been busy year for this young agri hotshot, which is why he is looking forward to a trip to Gqeberha with family this Christmas.
“I think this response may sound cliché, but nothing surpasses time spent together with family, having everyone who is far or near gathered under one roof, and spending time together reflecting on the year and of course food, food, food and more food,” Ngcobo says.
‘Tis the season of giving
Honouring the memory of her late mother and giving back during the Christmas season, is an important part of Louisa Bezuidenhout’s festive to-do list.
This livestock farmer based in the Northern Cape, shares that she plans to spend Christmas with her family and visit her late mother’s grave.
“Also, on Christmas, I invite people around who have got nothing to eat and offer them something. So, I have a big family to give food which makes me happy,” Bezuidenhout tells Food For Mzansi.
Give that man a lemonade!
If there’s one person who deserves a break, it’s Justin Chadwick, CEO of the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa.
After suffering several blows this year, Mzansi’s citrus industry came out victorious in the end, thanks to Chadwick and several other key role players.
“I will be with my family down at the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal. Every Christmas my wife does a fantastic gammon, of course my favourite menu item.”
Chadwick says he is grateful to be a South African surrounded by magnificent South Africans in this beautiful country. “While we have our challenges, we live in a beautiful part of the world on the southern tip of Africa.”
Grateful for life and family
After a tough year, Free State maize farmer Reggie Nkambule is ready to wind down. But not before he takes stock of 2022 and scouts for opportunities that 2023 may bring. Then it’s family time.
“I will be spending Christmas at a family gathering in Witbank with my wife [and her] family. [We’ll be] at my late brother-in-law’s [house].
“Thereafter, I’m enjoying a three-day break at God’s Window near Graskop in Mpumalanga before returning home,” he says.
Despite the year’s many challenges, Nkambule is grateful that he was able to stick to his plant schedule, although it wasn’t easy with late rains and oversaturated soil on his farm.
“Most importantly I am grateful for life and my family. Now, with rainy season in full swing, we pray that we have good rains and not floods for our plants to survive.”
‘A time for those who matter’
The year brought aquaponics farmer Gugulethu Mahlangu many changes, and it became crazy at some point.
From leasing land all throughout Covid, to working for an aquaponics farm for about a year as an aquaponics horticulturalist, Mahlangu looks forward to building her own aquaponics empire in 2023.
“This year went by so fast for me, a lot has happened and a lot has changed, so it’s good to just reflect and prepare for next year.”
But her first prioritiy this festive season is family. “I am grateful for family. I have a wonderful support structure here at home.
“I’m at home, so I’ll be spending it with my family as usual. Everyone, from my extended family to my cousins, aunts and grandmother… I’ll be be relaxing a lot.”
Switch off and relax
Tamsin Mzozoyana, who has been hard at work levelling up small-scale farmers in various parts of the country through her company Krystal Consulting, says she looks forward to switching off this holidays.
Mzozoyana is a food scientist with a passion for agriculture. She is the founder and chief executive of Krystal Consulting, a food safety and quality management systems organisation that assists small- and medium-scale farmers and agro-processors.
“I’ll be spending much of my time resting and [being] with my family. It’s been a very hectic year and switching off is also important.
“I’m thankful for the growth of myself and the business. And organisations like Food For Mzansi that make it possible, giving our black farmers and professionals a voice.”
Did someone say farm turkey?
Farm turkey, fried slowly in a big three-legged pot over an open fire, is what Jack Armour, Free State Agriculture’s operational manager looks forward to. But not without his favourite stuffing.
“This year I will be at my wife’s family farm near Ficksburg on the Caledon River enjoying a traditional Christmas. [I am] most looking forward to the farm turkey and the stuffing with gravy, my favourite.”
Armour is excited about life and finds pleasure in celebrating the small things in life.
“I know we live in one of the most beautiful and diverse countries with wonderful weather, cultures and people. We have challenges but those you get all over – it’s our resiliance and the way we keep going on that I am grateful for every day.
“And at this time of year, I realise it’s the gift of Christ; His love, grace, forgiveness and example that keeps us going,” Armour says.
It’s harvesting time, so…
South African multi award-winning commercial farmer, entrepreneur, speaker and podcaster Mbali Nwoko, knows all too well about cultivating success in the agricultural sector. She’s been doing it for the past six years.
“I will be with my family on Christmas day,” Nwoko says.
After that, it’s back to the farm for this hustler who said she grateful to be alive and in good health.
“There is no break for me this December. We are hard at work harvesting,” she says.
Spending Christmas at the hospital
For the first time in their lives, Nomahlubi Kinana and her family will have to spend Christmas with her mother who has been diagnosed with kidney failure.
It is a tough time for this poultry farmer and her family but Kinana chooses to be optimistic.
“Despite everything that has transpired, I am thankful for the gift of life,” says the farmer from Mthatha, Eastern Cape.
“I am also thankful that my family and I had a successful harvest this year, which allowed us to contribute fresh vegetables to a soup kitchen for needy children in Mthatha. The little we had, we gave to them, and for that I am eternally grateful.”
Two times the presents
As of 2021, December is an important month for poultry farmer Llewellyn Louw and his family. “On 25 December my son, Llewellyn junior, is turning one,” he says.
So this year, the farmer in Jacobsdal, Free State plans to spend time with his son and help make his birthday a memorable one. Louw didn’t say how they’ll be celebrating but our guess is lots of cake, balloons and gifts galore.
It has been a year of hard work for Louw and his partners, but he remains grateful.
“Firstly, I am grateful for the fact that I am still alive, healthy, the business is still operating and it was a year of great profit. So, it’s been a fantastic year.”
‘We’re pregnant!’
On the other hand, Daniel de Sousa, founder of The Farm Nearby, is counting the days that he becomes a father.
“My beautiful wife is 31 weeks pregnant with our first baby girl, due at the beginning of February 2023,” he says.
He’ll be spending Christmas with her, his immediate family, and newly-born niece.
“I see myself as a bit of a solitary man, so this time of the year, I am extremely grateful to be able to spend time with loved ones whom I can reconnect with. I believe that good food and good vibes with good people will always lead to good memories,” De Sousa adds.
Celebrating the wins
Free State dry fruit farmer Tsholofelo Motlhale is happy that things are finally starting to look up for fruit farmers in the province.
“I’m grateful for the rain that has made our work much easier and better compared to the previous years where no or lack of rain affected our operations.”
She is ready to unwind and celebrate her wins by spending time with her family. She also plans to relax as much as what is humanly possible, she says.
No more missing out on fun
Every day, Karabo Mahlaba can be found toiling away on his grandfather’s 300-hectare farm, Hoekieplaas in the Free State. It is a responsibility that Mahlaba does with passion, but it also means that he often has to deal with missing out on important life and family moments.
But this year, he is doing things a bit different.
“I’m going to be spending Christmas with my family and loved ones. I’ve missed out on a lot of family occasions,” he says.
Mahlaba too is grateful for life and good health. “I’m also grateful that I achieved the goals I set at the beginning of this year: to expand the farming business.”
Thabo’s always hard at work
For one of agriculture’s golden boys, it is going to be a working festive season. Thabo Dithakgwe, popularly known as South Africa’s youngest farmer, says he still has a few things to do on the farm before unwinding after a busy and chaotic year.
“My permanent employees are on holiday leave, so I’m gonna be on the farm to supervise my temporary employees.
“At this time of the year, all farm seasonal activities are complete, from calving to processing etc. We only provide licks and do general farm maintenance,” the livestock farmer says.
Dithakgwe recently had to watch hectares of his grazing land burn to ash after raging veld fires ripped through parts of North West. Dithakgwe, however, says he is “grateful for the good rains”.
Squeeze out whatever fun
Limpopo poultry farmer Maphate Rakoma also plans to get some work done on her farm, but promises to also squeeze in whatever fun she can.
“I will be spending time on the farm to ensure that in 2023, I am much better prepared,” she says.
It’s been taxing year on the farmer but she’s looking ahead with hopes for a better year.
“I am grateful for the sales that I managed to do. But 2022 has been a very hectic and demanding year [for me],” she adds.
Maintain a watchful eye on the farm
Zwelinzima Mkhuzangwe, founder of MegaRoss projects in North West, has a fairly typical farm day planned for Christmas, with the exception of a family lunch.
His sows will be farrowing piglets any time now and Mkhuzangwe feels that he needs to keep a watchful eye on the farm. “When assistance is required, I will be available. Problems during birthing can occur in livestock from time to time,” he explains.
But Mkhuzangwe does not mind the extra work over the holidays because he enjoys life on the farm. “I am grateful to have been challenged. I am [growing] as a direct result of the difficulties I have encountered. As a business owner, I am still anticipating more.
“That’s why I’m so appreciative of the difficulties I’ve encountered in the farming industry, they’ve helped me mature and become a better farmer.”
Getting his ‘local is lekker’ on
When you’re an agricultural economist in one of the country’s key agricultural regions, the December holidays is all you ever look forward to the entire year.
For Agri Western Cape economist Daniël Minnaar, spending time with his family – away from agricultural data and policies – is the only thing on his wish list this December.
“I will be spending time with my family and loved ones. The festivities will be loaded with good food and quality wine, produced by our very own farmers,” Minnaar says.
Meanwhile Minnaar’s “grateful list” features a multitude of things for which he is appreciative of.
“I’m grateful for all the blessings despite all the many challenges we experienced this year. A well-run and capable local government in the Western Cape makes all our lives easier.
“I’m grateful for the dedication and cooperation of our provincial department of agriculture. And on a personal note, I’m grateful for a loving family and close friends that will go out of their way to support me.”
Ultimate essence of Christmas
Another agricultural economist, Lunathi Hlakanyane, tells us that he will be spending Christmas in the countryside with his family. And by what we can tell, his family is planning a feast.
“The menu item I look most forward to is our 100% grass-fed lamb chops, sourced directly from our kraal.”
While the meaning of Christmas may have many answers depending on who you ask, for Hlakanyane it is all about being grateful and giving to others. “I am most grateful for my capacity to give what little I have to others. This, I believe, is the ultimate essence of Christmas,” he says.
Not sleeping on that extra dough
There’s little downtime in poultry farmer Mikie Mkhatha’s December schedule.
The founder of Morris Mavis Agri Field says, “I’ll be spending my holiday assisting with plant production tasks like pruning, harvesting, packaging, and delivering goods to the market.
“Additionally, I am able to earn some extra money on public holidays that I may put toward the purchase of school supplies for my children in the new year.”
It’s been a tough year for her, between working running her own farm and helping other farmers.
“I will always be thankful to be alive and that I have accomplished so much. I have completed a basic electrical course, a basic plumbing course, an agricultural assessor course, and a business innovation mixed farming course.”
Cooking up a storm with family
Angelo Marman, founder of Abitzfarming in Malmesbury, says his family will be cooking up a storm with all his favourite holiday meals and desserts. This is how he plans to unwind and celebrate small wins.
“I’m grateful for a successful 2022 despite all the trials we as farmers went through, and continue to go through.
“I’m also grateful for a great team and a healthy client relationship that will make 2023 great.”
Marman believes that Christmas is a time of giving and sharing, which is why he will be sharing a meal with his employees.
ALSO READ: Chin up, farmers! 2023 promises to be better
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