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December 2024
WHEN PETRUS RANKO TSOTETSI WAS ANNOUNCED AS THE 2024 GRAIN SA/ABSA/JOHN DEERE FINANCIAL NEW ERA COMMERCIAL FARMER OF THE YEAR, HIS MENTOR, JACQUES ROUX WAS FILLED WITH ‘FATHERLY’ PRIDE.
Although Jacques did not grow up on a farm, he spent a lot of time on farms during his school years, as he became friends with the farmers’ sons, who were also boarders. Farm visits definitely sparked his interest in farming. When his father retired, he bought some land and Jacques could try his hand at farming.
To learn the agricultural ropes, he spent six months at Glen Agricultural College, but soon realised that he wanted to learn about farming with practical experience and not through books. So he started working on farms as a farm worker and later became a farm manager, which made his desire to farm even stronger.
He later farmed with his brother and a friend near Bethlehem in the Free State, but sadly both his farming partners passed away. This was a turning point for Jacques and a time when he learned a valuable life lesson – if things do not work out, you have to get up and keep going. ‘Perhaps this is why I can relate to the farmers in the programme. I have travelled the rocky roads of life. If things don’t work out as you hoped, you can’t give up – you have to get up and try again.’
To Jacques mentorship has become a lifestyle and his favourite topic of conversation. ‘It’s wonderful to see the difference you make. Sometimes you arrive on a farm where nothing is in a working condition and within three years fences are repaired, implements are clean and in a working condition, animals have gained weight and there is a healthy crop on the lands.’
Jacques who is now the regional development manager in the Free State, thoroughly enjoys the time he spends with the farmers – and it seems that they are also satisfied with this enthusiastic and passionate mentor, who dreams of leaving a positive footprint wherever he goes. ‘I hope that I am making a difference and that it will change lives for the better…’
ABOUT THE WINNER
WHAT HAS IMPRESSED YOU MOST ABOUT RANKO?
Ranko started farming with nothing. He was a mechanic who gave up a secure income to farm when his father passed away – without his wife and children to support him, as they stayed in the city. He made the decision to honour his father by making a success of the farming operation.
WHY DID YOU NOMINATE HIM?
It is actually the second year that I nominated him – and the second time he was chosen as a finalist. This farmer has built up the farm from scratch. He received nothing for free but bought all his equipment from PALS (Partners in Agri Land Solutions). Everything he owns, is through his own hard work and perseverance – and that deserves to be recognised.
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM THIS FARMER?
The importance of compassion, humility and gratitude. His thankfulness is something that everyone can take note of. When he received his prize (a brand new John Deere tractor), he invited everyone who had played a part in his farming success – no matter when it was or how much time they invested – to be part of the celebration. He told his guests that it wasn’t his win, it was the area’s win. He also shared his prize money amongst his farmworkers. He is loved in the community because of these attributes. Ranko is more than a mentee in my life, he is a friend.
WHAT IS YOUR DREAM FOR THIS WINNER?
That he will continue to improve and grow as a farmer, but at a steady pace. It is so important to make sure that the farming foundation is established before you start expanding. Ranko agrees and says that before he expands in hectares, he first wants to plant his 210 ha successfully.
FAST FACTS
Name: Jacques Roux
Region: Free State
Position: Regional development manager since 2022.
Mentors: Johan Roux (Jacques’s father) and Johan Kriel (previous regional manager in the Free State).
THREE CHARACTERISTICS A MENTOR NEEDS:
Publication: December 2024
Section: Pula/Imvula
