By Excel Fongoma
Growing up in the small farming town of Brits, agriculture was an integral part of daily life, which ignited a spark in first-generation farmer Dimpho Xaba. In 2009, he took his first step towards realising this dream by enrolling for an Agriculture Diploma at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), which he completed in 2011. He followed this up with a BTech in 2012 and an M.Tech in 2020. Along the way, he gained practical experience by working on TUT’s farm, which gave him invaluable exposure to the intricacies of agriculture.
In 2022, his hard work paid off as he acquired his farm, setting the stage for further growth and success in the industry. “However, starting as a first-generation farmer is never easy. Without savings, industry connections, or established networks, the challenge was daunting. Farmers and market stakeholders were skeptical, often considering me too young or inexperienced,” Xaba told Vutivi News.
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The formation of the Thusanang Bakone Group marked the formal entry of Xaba into agribusiness. True to the group’s name, which emphasises unity and collaboration, the business sought to bring together other like-minded young people. It recruited four people with complementary skills to help grow the business and support one another in the process. “Our goal is clear; to modernise agriculture, making it more appealing to youth and transforming the sector,” said Xaba.
Historically, agriculture has been seen as a retirement option for older generations, but this new wave of young farmers is working to change that perception. Today, many young people are beginning to explore various aspects of the agricultural value chain, inspired by innovative opportunities such as agro-processing and artificial intelligence (AI).
Agriculture now accounts for 19.26% of South Africa’s total employment and continues to grow despite the country’s economic challenges. As part of the Youth Agriculture and Rural Development Initiative, Xaba and his team are dedicated to promoting farming among the youth. They use social media to showcase its benefits, highlighting advancements such as AI and its potential to revolutionise the industry. Regular workshops and stakeholder engagement events help share opportunities in the sector, encouraging young people to pursue careers in farming.
A critical component of their strategy involves upskilling the younger generation. Since 2017, the group has provided financial assistance to learners, students, and graduates, helping them pursue their studies and gain essential work experience. By funding their education, the group believes it is building a dynamic and skilled workforce capable of addressing future agricultural challenges. “Many of the young people who received support have since found employment with major agricultural companies or successfully launched their own agribusinesses,” said Xaba.
“The agricultural sector faces challenges like climate change, high costs, and discrimination but is transforming through agro-processing. This emerging sector offers young farmers opportunities in value-added products like vegetables, honey, and soya. “Looking ahead, the goal is to stabilise operations and expand into large-scale grain production utilising technology like drones and driverless tractors,” he concluded.
