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January 2025
ALTHOUGH MARTIN BOTHA WAS NEVER A CROP FARMER, HE GAINED GOOD KNOWLEDGE ABOUT WHAT IS NECESSARY FOR SUCCESSFUL CROP FARMING THROUGH HIS POSITIONS AT SEED AND AGRICULTURAL CHEMICAL COMPANIES. AFTER RETIRING TWELVE YEARS AGO, MARTIN BECAME ONE OF THE MENTORS OF THE FARMER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (FDP) OF PHAHAMA GRAIN PHAKAMA (PGP).
Martin finds great joy in training developing farmers and watching their progress, especially when they achieve good results. One of those farmers who has been particularly exciting to guide, is Alfred Gondo, the Grain SA Potential New Era Farmer of the Year for 2024.
He met Alfred six years ago, when the young farmer had limited knowledge about good agricultural practices. He had planted for the first time in the 2015/2016 season, motivated by his late father’s passion for farming. Through dedication and hard work, he grew his farming operation from initially planting 20 ha to planting 100 ha last season.
Even though the climatic conditions were problematic, Alfred still managed to realise a yield of 7,7 t/ha on the 42 ha of maize he planted and 1,1 t/ha on the 62 ha of soybeans he planted.
This dedication led to Martin nominating Alfred for the Farmer of the Year competition. It was only when Martin looked at the ‘video evidence’ of Alfred’s farming operation that he realised that his mentee stood a good chance to be chosen as the winner. Martin could not attend the Day of Celebration, where Alfred was announced as the winning farmer. However, as soon as Alfred had the opportunity, he phoned his mentor to tell him the good news.
Martin believes Alfred’s success comes from his hunger to improve and gain more knowledge about agricultural practices. Alfred is full of praise for his mentor and says that Martin has a wealth of knowledge – not just about crop production, but also because he is a chemical specialist. ‘He is always ready to give guidance when I need it, and he has taught me a lot.’
On the flip side, being a mentor has helped Martin to develop patience and to respect people, even if their opinions, mindset and culture are different to his.
THE MENTOR AND MENTEE WHAT HAS IMPRESSED YOU MOST ABOUT YOUR WINNING FARMER?
Alfred is a hard worker who gets up early in the mornings to make sure everything gets done. He is an enthusiastic and passionate farmer who listens to advice. He is also keen to learn. If I spot something that needs attention during a farm visit, he will react immediately and get it done.
WHY DID YOU NOMINATE HIM?
He is a conscientious young man with wide general knowledge of agricultural practices.
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM ALFRED?
To listen carefully, think about what is being said and not to react to what I think I heard – basically to remain calm, no matter what happens.
WHAT IS YOUR DREAM FOR THIS WINNER?
That he will achieve his dream of getting more land so that he can plant 500 ha.
FAST FACTS
Name: Martin Botha
Region: Mpumalanga
Position: Joined Grain SA as mentor in 2012.
Mentors: His father, Hertzog Botha.
THREE CHARACTERISTICS A MENTOR NEEDS:
Publication: January 2025
Section: Pula/Imvula
