Business
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Mogalemone Pty Ltd and KR Farming Enterprise
Website
Growing up in rural Limpopo, farming on communal land without any equipment, funding or support, Keneilwe Neo Raphesu, wanted to improve the lot of farmers. She took over her father’s farm in 2020 and in 2021 she started her own agricultural consulting businesses, Mogalemone and KR Farming Enterprise.
The 26-year-old manages the farm and handles animal health issues and sales; trains employees; draws up business plans and contacts and mentors others. “Basically, I am the encyclopaedia of farming,” Keneilwe says. She has been featured in Farmer’s Weekly, Stock Magazine, African Farming and on Carte Blanche and Food for Mzanzi.
She was named Emerging Farmer of the Year 2021 and has been nominated for Livestock Farmer of the Year and Young Farmer of the Year by SA Agricultural Awards and Female Farmer of the Year by the Department of Agriculture. Keneilwe would like to see female farmers dominate the industry.
What drives her to excel is passion, patience and perseverance. “When you are passionate about your work, you do it without ceasing and when you understand what is required, you will be patient and persevere through the hardship.”
- Bachelor of Arts in labour relation and psychology, North-West University
- Bcom in economics and international trade (not yet completed, North-West University
- NQF level 2 and 4 in animal production, The International Agricultural Academy for Africa
- Advanced animal production, Tshwane University of Technology
- Emerging Farmer of the Year 2021
- Nominated for livestock farmer of the Year, Young Farmer of the Year by SA Agricultural awards and female farmer of the Year by the Department of Agriculture
Growing up in the rural areas of Limpopo, farming on communal land without any equipment, funding or any support, I experienced the hard labour and harsh weather that made me want to improve people’s lives. Having no knowledge, and relying on others to assist, made me preserve and say, ‘I will make the best out of the worst.’ I told myself I’ll learn, grow and develop my passion to be one of the best livestock farmers.
You should have started earlier! 😂 I never thought I’d be a farmer. If I had known I’d be so passionate, I’d have started earlier instead of procrastinating and putting off the dream of being the best female livestock farmer in Africa.
Have female farmers dominate the industry. Have agriculture considered as a career not only seen as a food-security component. Provide more land and support to farmers instead of importing goods from other countries while farmers in SA struggle with market access. Improvement of youth unemployment through the agricultural sector — it is broader than we think it is.