Patrick Sekwatlakwatla: Unsung Agri Hero

Patrick Sekwatlakwatla, head of transformation at the Sernick Group outside Edenville in the Free State, can hold an audience in the palm of his hand, creating an atmosphere of lighthearted goodwill and unity. I realised this when I first saw him in action at a Sernick emerging farmers’ day. He is witty, authoritative and hugely compassionate while directing proceedings, and he makes everybody feel welcome and special.

- Izak Hofmeyr

When you speak to farmers who have participated in Sernick’s various training programmes, the same picture emerges. For these people, Patrick is Sernick. He is their invaluable partner in their efforts to shed the shackles of poverty and to emerge as fully fledged commercial producers.

From Edwinsdale to Edenville

Patrick grew up in rural Limpopo, in a place called Edwinsdale some 150km from Polokwane. After completing school, he joined the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) for a few years before joining Obaro in Brits where he worked for almost 15 years, eventually becoming their head of corporate social investment. It was here that Nick Serfontein, chairperson of the Sernick Group, met him and, as Patrick says, stole him away to head Sernick’s own transformation programme.