Transformation project stands as an example

Despite ongoing delays and red tape, Merino stud breeder Eddie Prinsloo and eight of his employees have begun farming in partnership in a business known as the Donkerhoek Farming Project. Sabrina Dean visited them on Prinsloo’s Free State farm to learn about the venture.

- Sabrina Dean

Free State Merino farmer Eddie Prinsloo first began mulling over a way to empower his employees in 1994. He wanted to transfer a piece of land to employees who had been working for him for many years. His staff had, for example, played an integral role in developing a market for his stud rams in neighbouring Lesotho.

“They did all the work to grow relationships with buyers in that country,” he explains. Prinsloo, who farms on Heuningkrans between Smithfield and Reddersburg, realised, however, that the area he could provide was too small to create an economically sustainable business. It was two decades before he began the process again after a call by government for farmers to present proposals for the 50:50 land reform policy, which would see white farmers enter into equal partnerships with black farmworkers in farming businesses. “In January 2016, I decided to offer a farm to government to establish an empowerment project,” he says.

THE DONKERHOEK PROJECT

When Prinsloo approached government about partnering in a project to empower his workers, he brought to the table 1 500ha of good sheep-rearing land (comprising four separate title deeds on an adjoining farm of his), his farming and business experience, and a willingness to invest his time and resources into making the project a success. However, he had two main stipulations.

“Firstly, I wanted the beneficiaries to get the title of the farm. Secondly, I wanted it to be offered to my employees, some of whom have been on the farm for over 30 years.