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GRAIN SA is
very proud of these finalists
G
rain SA recently hosted its annual “Farmer of the Year”
competition to acknowledge the successes of good
developing farmers.
The competition consists of three categories to create a platform
for all types of farmers to compete fairly. The three categories are
the Subsistence Farmer of the Year (farming on 0 - 10 hectares),
the Smallholder Farmer of the Year (farming on anything from
10 hectares, but producing less than 250 tons of grain) and the
New Era Commercial Farmer of the Year (producing more than
250 tons of grain).
The winners of all three categories will be announced on the Day
of Celebration function in Bloemfontein on 1 October 2015.
15
September 2015
GRAIN SA
LANDI KRUGER,
Grain Farmer Development Programme, Grain SA
Grain SA/ABSA Subsistence
Farmer of the Year finalists
Jabulani Abednigo Mbele
J
abulani Abednigo Mbele was born in Bergville, in the Siliman-
gamehlo area in 1950. He grew up there and married Victoria in
1975; they were blessed with five children, of which two have sadly
passed away.
Their remaining children are their son, Thamsanqa Mbele (34),
who left school in grade 9 and is now working for one of the con-
struction companies in Bergville. Their daughter, Thulisile Mbele
(31), left school in grade 11 and she currently stays with her parents.
Their youngest son, Dumezweni Mbele (28), works for Mondi as a
Bell loader operator.
Jabulani started school at Emadolobheni Primary School where he
completed grade 4. In 1965 he went to Mooi River where he started
working for Textiles as a machine operator until 1970. In 1971 he
moved to Johannesburg where he started
working for African Altex from 1972 until
1990. During the latter part of 1990 he was
transferred to Romdex Carpets in Durban
where he specialised in making motor vehi-
cle carpets until 1999.
His interest in farming started in 2000 when
Romdex Carpets closed down and he went
back home where he started to see farming
as a way of life accentuated by his upbring-
ing in rural areas.
Mbele’s involvement with Grain SA started
three years ago when he joined a study
group and attended training courses to
equip him with the necessary knowledge
and skills.
Mbele planted 4 ha of maize and 3 ha of
dry beans. He has switched to no-till and is
making very good progress. He plants all 7 ha by hand, while his
three tractors are only used to transport water and inputs as he be-
lieves the fuel cost is too high.
He is willing to learn and apply newly attained knowledge. During
the past year he influenced the farmers in his community to start
applying the correct production practices and make use of hand
planters according to no-till methods.
He is an example to the rest of his community and is seen by many
as a role-model.
1: Jabulani Mbele.
2: Jabulani planted 4 ha of maize. He has switched to no-till and is
making very good progress.
1
2
Member landscape