Award-winning farmer from Vrede encourages youth to start farming
He established a foundation that regularly donates school uniforms, shoes, and seeds to primary schools in the province.
Nkosana Mtambo from Vrede received the Farmer of the Year 2021/2022 award for the Free State.
He farms Bonsmara cattle and merino sheep and grows maize and soya on his 1 200ha of land.
Nkosana was a guest speaker at a recent career day at Thobelani Secondary School.
“I encouraged the learners to begin farming, even if it is only a vegetable garden in their backyards,” he said.
“Farming is a business and not only for old people.”
He believes people need a policeman, a lawyer or a doctor less in life than they do a farmer.
“One needs a farmer three times a day.”
Nkosana grew up on a farm and spent some time studying for a diploma in Djakarta, Indonesia, but had to return to work on the farm.
He mentors upcoming farmers and is an ambassador for Standard Bank’s business clients. He has received exposure on TV and has done a documentary on African farming.
He established a foundation that regularly donates school uniforms, shoes, and seeds to primary schools in the province.
Nick Serfontein, the chairperson of the Sernick Group, is and was one of his mentors.
“I love nature more than anything else,” Nkosana said.
He did not hesitate to name the challenges experienced by farmers, and the role of the climate was first and foremost on his mind.
Farm killings and stock theft came a close second and third.
