Luvo Kiyane (34) was raised by his grandparents, David and Nowinara Kiyane, in uLahlangubo, near Cala, in the Eastern Cape. Here, as a boy, he spent many days tending to the family’s livestock in the vast communal grazing areas of the region.
In 2004, when Kiyane was 17, his grandfather gained access to a 530ha farm, Shuna, in the nearby Elliot district via the state Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development (LRAD) programme. Shuna was initially shared by 10 other beneficiaries (today six), making it difficult for the grandfather-grandson team to make ends meet; a reality that always forced Kiyane to find alternative income streams.
In mid-2023 his grandfather died, and Kiyane now farms 130 Merino sheep and 50 crossbred breeding cows on Shuna alone while steering Kiyane Shearing Contractors in Cala.
ROAD TO AGRICULTURAL INDEPENDENCE
Kiyane’s grandfather was relieved to transfer his livestock from uLahlangubo location to Shuna in 2004. “It was difficult to farm in the communal areas, because the land was shared by everyone,’’ says Kiyane. “You cannot, for example, have breeding seasons and manage disease like sheep scab.’’
After Kiyane and his grandparents had settled on Shuna, it was decided that he would complete his education at the Ida High School which the principal, Ruben Gouws, had turned into a local farm school that became recognised nationally for academic excellence.
After completing his schooling, Kiyane studied for a national diploma in agriculture at the Grootfontein College of Agriculture in Middelburg in the Eastern Cape.
This story is from the Farmer's Weekly 19 January 2024 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Farmer's Weekly 19 January 2024 edition of Farmer's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
R17m donation of tractors, bulls and infrastructure
Small-scale farmers in KwaZulu-Natal have been given an opportunity to grow into sustainable commercial businesses through a holistic integrated programme that will provide mechanisation, infrastructure and sector expertise.
Top dairy products revealed
Lactalis South Africa has won the South African Dairy Product of the Year Award for six of the past eight years. This year it won with a 10-month-old Gouda made especially for Woolworths.
Poor waste management highlighted on Earth Day
Most of South Africa’s waste ends up in dumps, if not strewn across open spaces or littering streams and oceans.
Kenya hosts soil health summit
The health of African soil was discussed at length by gathering of experts, writes Jeff Kapembwa.
Report shows the impact that heat has on agricultural workers
The UN’s International Labour Organisation (ILO) recently released a report showing the impact of climate change on the health of workers.
Factors to bear in mind when dipping livestock
It is important to consider the intervals at which you dip livestock in relation to the specific season in which ticks become more or less, writes Shane Brody.
Good outlook for pome fruit
Varieties of fruit could be the key in growing the pome fruit sector, writes Glenneis Kriel.
Building a sustainable agriculture sector in the Western Cape
Technology, research, financial mentorship and more will be required, writes Marinda Louw Coetzee.
PwC research shows food crisis impact
A new report details how the looming food crisis will affect Africa, writes Jyothi Laldas.
Braaied meat and soft-boiled egg Thai salad
This salad with maize, peanuts and eggs will turn leftover braai meat into a completely different meal. Recipe and photo: South African Poultry Association.