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Members’ milieu
Nhlanhla Sicelo Mngadi
Nhlanhla Sicelo Mngadi was born to Muriel and Aron Mngadi on 3 April 1970 in the Ntabamhlophe Village at
Estcourt. He joined Grain SA in 2015 after he had seen the beautiful and healthy maize of Mr Mbatha, his neighbour
who was already a member of Grain SA at the time. He needed no further motivation to join Grain SA and has never
looked back since.
Becoming a commercial producer is Nhlanhla’s dream and together with his brother, they are slow
ly working towards building up their farming capacity and equipment. They have worked hard in
implementing what they have learnt. There was not only an improvement in hectares and yields, but also
in agricultural practices and efficiency.
Smallholder Farmer nominees
Subsistence Farmer nominees
Mduduzi David Mnisi
Mduduzi David Mnisi was born in Breyten on the farm Bankfontein in 1986. He was raised on the farm and in 2010
started working with his mother on this farm. He sees agriculture as a means of self-employment and a way of
pulling himself out of poverty.
He farms under the guidance and mentorship of his neighbour, Mr Corné Butter, and they plan everything to
gether. Three years ago, he became involved in the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform’s
Rural Enterprise and Industrial Development (REID) Project – by at first planting 25 ha in the first year and
60 ha in the second year. He currently plants 66 ha. Every year has been extremely successful so
far. Through a lot of determination and hard work this farmer has shown other young farmers what
can be done when one is given a chance.
Victor Bumisani Nelson Dube
Victor Bumisani Nelson Dube was born on 19 September 1960 and raised in the village of Dukuza
in Bergville, KwaZulu-Natal. He started farming in 2000 and joined Grain SA in 2009, attending training, study
group meetings and in 2014/2015 he was part of the Monsanto/ARC pilot project. He has since been part of the
Jobs Fund Project.
His dream is to become a commercial farmer. He has considered various options to improve his profitabil
ity – from producing popcorn to value adding like making samp. Vegetables and fruits also form a part of
his farming business.
Ndlalankululu Jona Zungu
Ndlalankululu Jona Zungu was born in the Matshana area near Wakkerstroom in 1948. He grew up on the
farm Ogiesfontein near Wakkerstroom. His interest in farming started at a young age whilst helping his
father on the farm to plant and harvest maize.
Although he had formerly worked in Gauteng and other places, he returned home in 2007 and decided to
try his hand at planting in the hope of getting enough maize for his household. After getting involved with
Grain SA, he managed to provide enough for himself and could sell the surplus for an income.
Anderson Cetywayo Magidela
Anderson Cetywayo Magidela is a full-time resident of Khanyayo, where he was born on 28 June 1934. He started
farming a long time ago, but back then he had no mentor to assist him to employ proper agricultural practices.
He became a Grain SA member and began learning a lot about farming.
Apart from becoming a farmer, he also learnt how to look after the soil so that the structure does not become
degraded. Unfortunately, most people – especially those who do not have the privilege of having mentors
– do not look after their soil well. Anderson is proud to be part of Grain SA and is hoping for the best in
the future.
September 2018
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