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CHAPTER 8
WHAT A FARMER MEANS TO A MENTOR
PHILIP DU PREEZ, A MENTOR FROM THE FREE STATE
M
entorship requires infor-
mation on the mentee, and
the implementation of the
characteristics of honest®, reliabilit®,
adequate knowledge, practical exeri-
ence and the abilit® to communicate.
Inforation on the mentee’s family,
spouse, children, successors, faring
backg¢ound, f§t§re plans, problems
and possible solutions is essential to
improve relationships.
Knowing the ins and outs of the
mentee’s family and receiving reg§lar
feedback, with sincere interest on
both sides, makes the mentor a
member of the family.
Honesty must be maintained at all
times. Where sufficient knowledge
is lacking, it should be followed up
to promote reliability.
Knowledgeandpractical experience
should be exchanged with the
mentee in plain language. One is
never too old to learn and should
acknowledge this.
Stick to principles regarding faring
practices, e.g.: ‘The far deterines
the t®e of faring activit®.’
Fields performing below potential
should be withdrawn from cash
crops and established with
permanent pasture. This principle
is not yet applied as it should be,
but results are improving.
Mixed faring with qualit® caŴle
that can utilise past§re, crop residue
and planted g¢azing is more sustain-
able. Selection and marketing are
car¢ied out together with the mentee,
and results are communicated with
appreciation.
Where cash crops are grown on
fields with a higher potential,
better yields are more sustainable
and recognition for this is greatly
appreciated.
Soil preservation is high on the
agenda and assistance with laying
out water courses and contours is
very successful. Practical experi-
ence plays a major role here.
William Matasane, Koos Mthim-
kulu, John Depali, Sameul/Simon
and Jafta Thaso generate good
crops and feedback is very positive
because their successes are my
success too.
All the positive comments that
come over a long period of time
are very encouraging. The major
contribution is honesty among
themselves and with me, because
I am a member of the family, has
made success possible.
There can be no beŴer recogition for
what has been achieved in collabora-
tion with farers who want to and
can far. All honour to the heavenly
Father who has made this possible.