Partnerships pay off for Western Cape nursery

Kobus se Kwekery in Oudtshoorn won Klein Karoo Seed Production’s award for the best emerging agricultural business in both 2017 and 2020. Yolandi Leen, who co-owns the nursery with her husband Kobus, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about their journey to success and the market they serve.

- Glenneis Kriel

Starting and growing a successful farming business requires determination, capital, a market, and much more. And among these elements, one, in particular, stands out: partnerships. This is one of the key lessons that Yolandi Leen learnt when she and her husband, Kobus, launched their nursery, Kobus se Kwekery, in Oudtshoorn in the Klein Karoo in 2014.

Arguably their biggest break came when Patrick Murray, the owner of Langkloof Seedlings, decided to help them realise their dream of establishing their own nursery.

“Kobus and I come from a family of farmworkers near Herold [in the George district], and we gained experience while working at Patrick’s nursery for more than 24 years. In 2014, Patrick went into a 50:50 business partnership with us and helped us secure a lease for land belonging to the Oudtshoorn Municipality. We also obtained funding from the Western Cape Department of Agriculture to get the nursery going.” In addition, the department provided the couple with nursery infrastructure, along with seed trays, wooden supports for the trays, irrigation, a packhouse, and implements such as a planter.

To ensure the nursery got off to a good start, Murray was initially actively involved in the running of the business. Gradually, however, he decreased his involvement and shareholding to allow the Leens to take full ownership in 2019.

“Patrick was a great asset, but our agreement was that he’d withdraw after five years. Despite his mentoring to prepare us for the transition, it was still a huge shock when he left,” says Leen.