Premier’s award for local farmer

A local female farmer, Patricia Ntombi Maphosa (59), continues to steer her farm to even greater heights of success.

Maphosa, whose Simunye Farm is situated at Noordkaap, received one of the premier’s service and youth excellence awards (PSEYA) in the farming category on March 13.

As a runner-up, she received R15 000 in cash. She cultivates a 10-hectare farm, which produces green peppers, green beans, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, spinach, beetroot, cabbage and maize. She also farms with livestock such as pigs, cows, goats, chickens and peacocks.

“I’m everything on the farm – labourer, manager, farmer and a director. I dedicate my time day and night to the farm and there are no holidays, weekends or even a Christmas Day off for me. With my bare hands I have built up this business, which today is renowned countrywide,” said Maphosa.

It all began in 1995 when she acquired the farm through the former Department of Water and Environmental Affairs.

She prides herself on feeding the nation, “Once I reap my crops, I supply Pick n Pay and Maxmart Supermarkets (formerly Friendly Supermarket). I’m also happy that I’m able to provide jobs for five people. Though they are not fully employed year round, they might soon be,” said Maphosa.

The PSEYA is not her first award. In 2011 she was named female farmer of the year in the smallholding category. She used the cash prize to buy a bakkie to help her with her work and travelling.

Maphosa said she envisages extending her farming by venturing into sugar-cane production.

“I have been in livestock and vegetable farming for many years and I want to explore this industry. At the moment, my 10-hectare farm is too small to allow this but I have had several meetings with the Land Bank and they have promised to buy me a bigger farm so that I can expand into cane,” said Maphosa. “I will then be able to supply TSB Sugar Group in Malalane.

“Farming has been in my blood since I was a youngster. What has kept me going all these years is that I sleep peacefully when I’m able to feed the nation and provide employment to the less fortunate.”