Young Stud Manager Strives to Be an Icon

Jessica Phathela is the stud manager for Ntaba Nyoni Cattle, and is responsible for the care, breeding and administration of five herds. She aspires to be a role model for other women in the sector. Janine Ryan reports.

- By Janine Ryan

The Ntaba Nyoni Cattle ranch is situated in a beautiful area of Mpumalanga, near the small town of Badplaas (officially eManzana). But, as refreshing as the scenery might be, running a successful cattle operation in the area takes particular expertise. “If you can farm in the harsh conditions of Badplaas, you can farm anywhere,” says Jessica Phathela, Ntaba Nyoni Cattle’s stud manager.

At just 29 years old, Phathela oversees the management of five studs of different breeds on the farm, namely Ankole, Boran, Bonsmara, Nguni and Wagyu. The farm also runs two commercial herds of Borans and Bonsmaras.

Managing these five studs of different breeds, temperaments and attributes would be a difficult task for anyone to achieve, as each requires specialised attention and skills, but Phathela takes it all in her stride.

Phathela grew up in the small village of Madombidzha, Limpopo. She refers to her uncle Siphugu as the family’s trailblazer: his decision to study agriculture at the University of Venda and his involvement in the National Emergent Red Meat Producers’ Organisation inspired her and some of her cousins to join the agriculture industry, too. Thus, in 2013, Phathela embarked on a bachelor’s degree in animal sciences at the University of Venda. While studying, she volunteered at Limpopo Dairy, where she helped raise calves and treat cows with mastitis.