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He says further that the second reason for his success is his strong
belief in sheer hard work and his diligence to achieve his short
and long term goals. Regarding his strengths and weaknesses he
explains that he always tries to give his absolute best in whatever
he does.
He mentions that his weaknesses are the same as everyone else’s and
that he can sometimes be impatient because he wanted everything
done yesterday! Maurice feels that although he has learnt so much
up to now, one can never ever have enough knowledge.
Where his future plans are concerned, he aims to increase his maize
yield to 10 tons per hectare and also to increase his Bonsmara-cross-
Brahman herd from 200 to 400 animals over the next five years. His
only concern is land availability in the area. Although he is 72 years
old he does not allow his age to hamper his dreams.
Maurice’s advice to young and up and coming farmers out there is:
“Do not think you will become rich overnight. Farming is a difficult,
time-consuming process to achieve financial stability. We must also
never forget that the main objective of farming is to feed our nation.”
Bill Cosby said: “To be successful, your desire to succeed should
be greater than your fear of failure.” Maurice’s desire to succeed
is unquestionable. During 2013, at a prestigious function, he was
appointed as the Grain SA/Absa Developing Grain Farmer of the
Year. This competition should by no means be taken lightly and
participants are judged according to strict rules and criteria.
Aspects that are judged include human resource management,
financial management, the diversity of farming operations and
the responsibility taken to develop employees. The value of this
competition should not be underestimated. It creates a platform for
emerging farmers to get to know each other, but also to compete
with each other.
Many farmers in the rural areas sometimes feel isolated and have
no networks or other farmers to ask for advice or guidance. This
competition brings farmers that work under the same circumstances
together and it gives them the opportunity to measure their own
progress against others. Role-models like Maurice, inspire small-
scale and entry level farmers to excel.
He is not only an inspiration to entry level farmers, but to everyone
that he comes into contact with. The admiration and utmost respect
that Mr Ian Househam, the Grain SA provincial co-ordinator in the
Eastern Cape who works with Maurice, has for him is almost tangible.
His impressions are: “Maurice Boki is a 72 year old farmer, but he
farms like a young man of 25.
“He is a dedicated and passionate farmer who always gives 100% of
himself in everything he does. When he does something, he either
does it properly or not at all. There are no half measures with Maurice.
He sees the good and the positive in every situation, whether in his
work or in his personal life.
“He is a devoted family man and takes good care of his family and
his employees. Maurice has the utmost respect for everything and
everyone and it is evident in the way he deals with people and with
life in general. In my opinion he is the epitome of a South African
farmer and an example of what South Africa’s emerging farmer can
achieve. Grain SA is proud to be associated with Maurice Boki,”
Househam said.
He also planted 135 ha of dryland maize and achieved a yield of 6 tons/ha.
Hard work and perseverance drives him to achieve success
ON FARM LEVEL
Management practices
