Farmer ‘crops up’ on provincial board
Christopher's hope is for farming to thrive in the years to come.
Mixed small-scale farmer, Christopher Hadebe has cultivated much over his 33-year career.
While the bulk of his efforts go towards the cattle, crops and other livestock he rears, the 65-year-old also boasts a wealth of experience in local farming associations and provincial administration.
His administrative ‘chops’ span more than 20 years.
It was no surprise then to hear that Christopher was elected as a board member for the KwaZulu-Natal Agricultural Union (Kwanalu) for the 2018/2019 term.
“I was at Kwanalu after the merger in 1997 and was on the committee for the union.”
Christopher said in subsequent years he represented the Amajuba District and also served on Kwanalu’s Management Committee or Manco.
This year however, Kwanalu shifted over to a board structure.
“I am pleased to be elected. I love farming and Kwanalu, because it’s a rainbow organisation where small-scale farmers are also represented.”
He added that because of the mix of small-scale, commercial and large-scale farmers within Kwanalu, it was easy to get direction and advice in all spheres of agriculture. Christopher himself is on the small-scale side of things.
He farms in the area of oSizweni known as Eastbourne Farm, rearing primarily Brahman cattle, some Bonsmara breeds and at times sheep and chickens. His operations also include crops. “It’s hard work and if you want to grow, you need small camps and buy feed and grass bales.
“I don’t have enough land to plough but I have three hectares to use.”
Christopher believed wholeheartedly in the notion that farmers fed the nation and said despite the difficulty of being a farmer and talks of land expropriation without compensation, he could never be anything but a farmer.
His hope was for farming to thrive in the years to come.
“Small-scale farmers still learn and need commercial farmers.”
Looking to the future, Christopher said he looked forward to Kwanalu’s organisational shuffle and to seeing smaller farmers growing in strength.
“Kwanalu has hired a development manager for small-scale farming, and that
person compiles reports and meets with farmers from various districts.”
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