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May 2024
Zoliwe Nombewu (46), an Eastern Cape farmer, was a finalist in the Phahama Grain Phakama (PGP) Potential Commercial Farmer of the Year category. For this enthusiastic farmer, farming is not just a way to earn an income – it is a lifestyle.
Zoliwe was raised in a farming environment. Although her parents were farmers out of necessity, farming became her passion. During her childhood there were not many jobs available in the area and for her parents, farming became a means to support the family. Little did they realise that this decision would play a role in their daughter’s path to become a very successful farmer.
‘I strongly believe that if you love what you do, you will make a success of it. Being passionate about farming helps me to stay focussed on my dreams. It also helps me to keep improving my production practices, to move closer towards my goal of becoming a commercial farmer,’ she says about her success as a farmer.
Zoliwe began farming in the early 2000s but started growing as a farmer in 2009 after her husband, Daliwonga, joined Grain SA. The couple farm together and when they began farming, it was on Daliwonga’s 4 ha piece of land. At this stage a yield of 1,5 t/ha was considered a good yield. Then PGP came onto the scene and showed them what could be achieved with better agricultural practices. Last season Zoliwe realised a yield of 5,5 t/ha with her maize.
Daliwonga has been a great source of inspiration and motivation in his wife’s farming career, but she is also extremely grateful to PGP for all the knowledge imparted to her and for the agricultural skills they have developed in her. ‘The Farmer Development Programme showed me that farming is a business and that I can survive without being employed by someone else.’
Marketing is one of the most important aspects of farming for this successful farmer. ‘I did a marketing course about four years ago. The knowledge about how to market my business has really been helpful. It taught me how to make a profit, look at my expenditure, know where I am losing money and where I am making a profit. It also helped me to know when to mark down my price, when the quality of maize is not so good.’
SHARE YOUR CAREER HIGHLIGHTS WITH US.
Apart from being a finalist in the PGP competition, I received a certificate of excellence in 2021 from the Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) as the Agriculture Female Entrepreneur Award winner. This was a result of my growth as a farmer. I planted 2 ha in 2008, and by 2020 I was planting 200 ha.
DO YOU HAVE A FARMING MOTTO?
Farming is a lifestyle, so it must be part of who you are. To me the most important advice I can give farmers, is to focus on their farming operation and develop a keen interest and passion for their business.
WHAT IS YOUR DREAM FOR THE FUTURE?
I want to achieve my goal of being a successful farmer and see my maize production increase from 10 t/ha to 12 t/ha to increase my profit. I want to be able to make my own feed for my livestock, so I don't have to buy any maize during the year.
ZOLIWE’S 3 TOP TIPS
Farm: Communal land in the Madwaleni administrative area
Nearest town: Tsolo
Region: Eastern Cape
Size: Plants 300 ha of maize
Type of farming operation: Mixed – plants maize and soybeans, grows vegetables and owns cattle and sheep for meat and wool production
Yield: 5,5 t/ha
PGP'S CONTRIBUTION
Training courses completed:
Has completed several courses including:
A mentor’s view:
Eric Wiggill, PGP mentor in the Eastern Cape, says Zoliwe is a hard-working farmer who is always keen to learn. She has a passion for farming and is determined to succeed.
Publication: May 2024
Section: Pula/Imvula
