A fresh approach for young farmers

A young team who believe farming is critical to the health of the country’s economy have taken the reins at the SA Canegrowers offices in Umhlali and Amatikulu.

Sugar man Glantine Mashile has stepped into the position of SA Canegrowers’ senior regional manager for the North Coast and Zululand following in the footsteps of Guy Ducasse, who recently joined Tongaat Hulett Sugar and Brendon Nothard who emigrated to Australia last year.

Mashile heads up the new team which includes North Coast senior agricultural business advisor Thembeka Mthethwa, Amatikulu agricultural business advisor Samukelisiwe Khanyile and Amatikulu area manager Sinehlanhla Njoko.

Also read: Ndwedwe aquaponic farm continues to thrive

Originally from the Midlands, Mashile has been eagerly learning about the colourful history of the Dolphin Coast through visits to local farms.

“The history, the stories here, they are so rich. I went to visit Kim Hagemann at Bethany Farm the other day and I saw the graveyard with all his ancestors buried there. I had to get my photograph taken next to the grave of his great, great grandfather.

“I thought it was only in our culture that we had such burial plots, but now I see white people have them too,” said the 32-yearold Mashile who studied agricultural economics and is married to Zama, a dietician.

“I really admire farmers. When I took up my previous position at Eston in the Midlands for SA Canegrowers, I learned things about farmers that I am sure many people are not aware of.

I discovered a lot of them are pro-development. They know the people on the ground in their communities and they would just break out speaking in isiZulu in a board meeting for example.

“Other farmers have been ready to buy farms and then share ownership with the people who work for them. These are things I never knew – they have changed my whole view of who farmers really are.

“I have declared myself an ambassador for farmers,” said Mashile, who loves snorkeling in the seashore tidal pools and taking long beach walks.

Passionate about serving the needs of the farmers, Mashile said it is his job to look after the interests of the growers.

“The most pressing thing for me right now is to remind farmers that SA Canegrowers is here and equipped to serve them in the best possible way.”

Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 061 718 4438.

Please read our WhatsApp broadcast list disclaimer.
Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram