A Brahman Dream Comes True

For as long as he can remember, JP Mlangeni wanted to be a farmer. It might have taken a few years, from being a teacher and later a businessman, but his dream finally took shape and today he runs a fully-fledged breeding and commercial Brahman farming enterprise in Mpumalanga.

- Andries Gouws

JP was born in Hendrina, went to school in Pretoria, and became a teacher. He later left his teaching career and opened a transport business in Secunda, eventually expanding to Witbank. Later, with the finances to back his decision, he drove to farmers in the Belfast area, which he often visited as a child, and asked to buy their farms. Today he farms on more than 3 500 hectares.

From humble beginnings

JP is passionate about the Brahman. It is a breed with bulls that not only excel in crossbreeding systems (they can be used on any other cattle breed), but that are also hardy and have no trouble adapting to the environment.

He bought his first Brahmans from well-known breeders. As the animals had to be fertile and functionally efficient, he examined their pedigrees and made sure the conformation and type fitted his requirements. The stud animals he selected also came from pedigrees that had high meat and milk production potential.

The farm he bought had the little infrastructure, but it suited him because he mapped out the farm in his mind while dreaming of his Brahman enterprise. Each aspect was designed for maximum functionality.

Although his business still keeps him busy, JP is looking forward to the day when he can work among his cattle full time and live out his dream to the fullest.

He believes beef cattle production has an excellent future. The only problem is a lack of co-operation. The government and people need to understand what farming is about. Although the producers work well together, not everyone understands that it took years for these commercial producers to acquire their knowledge and expertise.