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Januarie 2019
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Get out of your comfort zone
and
GROW
‘Y
ou cannot change the circumstances, the seasons or
the wind, but you can change yourself. That is some-
thing you have charge of,’ the American philosopher
and motivational speaker, Jim Rohn, once said. This in-
sightful quote aligns with the philosophy behind the very successful
Grain Academy Programme.
The Grain Academy is a leadership programme steered by
Syngenta with the support and endorsement of Grain SA, in part-
nership with the University of the Free State’s Business School.
It is custom-made for young commercial producers to empower
them to deal with the ever-increasing challenges the South African
agricultural industry faces.
The idea behind the programme is to instil a Smart Farm approach
to agriculture where the future of agriculture must be shaped rather
than left to chance. The aim of the academy is therefore to equip
young dynamic producers with the skills to tackle the issues in the
agricultural industry and to apply these new business leadership
skills to their own enterprises.
An opportunity to change your life
According to Rohn – who was regarded as a major force in the world
of personal development – the major value in life is not what you
receive, but what you become. For the participants this path of self-
discovery at the Grain Academy was less about achievements and
more about personal growth and developing life skills.
Although it was a difficult journey, their feedback reflects that it
was well worth it. Ms Caroline (Tshepiso) Tsosane from QwaQwa
in the Eastern Free State developed an interest in agriculture dur-
ing high school. She obtained a B Tech Degree in Agricultural Man-
agement from the Central University of Technology and a National
Diploma in Agriculture from Cedara College. She applied to the acad-
emy to gain more knowledge about crop production as her studies
focused on animal production. After graduating from the academy,
she stated: ‘Growing as a leader has led to self-acceptance. I have
learned that it is okay to be different and that what someone may
consider a weakness can actually become your biggest asset.’
Mr Christo de Wet is the fourth generation on their family farm in
the Potchefstroom area, a mixed crop-livestock farming operation.
He decided to enter the academy to gain the necessary skills for
the ever-changing agricultural sector. To him the programme was
a time of soul-searching. ‘I learned what my good points are and
what still needs attention. I have definitely walked away a
stronger leader.’
A young farmer from the Northern Cape, Mr Tshiamo Moncho, had
been on the lookout for an appropriate leadership course for a while
when he discovered the academy. He currently farms with sheep,
goats and crops on leased land in the Barkley West district and de-
cided to diversify to vegetables in 2018. ‘The focus of our studies is
always on the technical and practical aspects, while leadership skills
are so necessary for success. This course showed me that problems
can either be dissolved or resolved; that I must always rise above
that which may destruct me by approaching difficult situations with
emotional intelligence.’
For some participants this was not the first leadership course they
attended. Mr Jacques Roos, the group commercial manager at the
Schoeman Group in Delmas, Mpumalanga, has attended several
leadership courses.
‘This one is superior – none of them are on this level,’ he said. He
entered the academy hoping to be challenged by different view-
points and to be better equipped to make a positive contribution in
South Africa. ‘On a practical level, I gained a lot of skills and realised
again the importance of being a bridge-builder in South Africa. We
have to challenge ourselves to work together to find viable solutions
for the challenges faced by the industry.’
Other feedback received by the academy from participants was that
this course pushes boundaries and takes you out of your comfort
zone so that one can grow. The participants added that they gained
boldness and courage to take on difficult situations. One graduate
said: ‘I changed from a democratic leader into a visionary leader,’
while another described it as a journey from nowhere to somewhere.
It is clear that none of the participants walked away feeling let down,
even though they didn’t quite realise the value at the onset. ‘At first
it was a bit confusing, then the breakthrough came, and I realised
how meaningful and useful it is.’
The value of the four pillars
The programme is based on four pillars: Courage, challenges, con-
versation and change. Socrates, the classical Greek philosopher,
shared that the secret of change was to focus your energy not on
RELEVANT
LOUISE KUNZ,
SA Graan/Grain
editorial team
“
“
It is custom-made
for young commercial
producers to empower
them to deal with
the ever-increasing
challenges the South
African agricultural
industry faces.