Growing Tomorrow's Farmers: A Win-win For A Top Fruit Producer And A Community

When Tomahawk Farm was sold in a land claim, the owners faced a crossroads: up and leave, or stay and help. With the future success of the farm and the livelihoods of the local community in mind, they opted to equip a new generation of farmers to take the reins. By Lindi Botha.

- Lindi Botha

Tomahawk Farm in Mpumalanga is one of the largest subtropical fruit producers in South Africa. When the local Matsamo community instituted a land claim against the farm in 2010, there was concern that local and export markets would lose a major supplier, and the region would lose the economic activity generated by the farm. Instead, through integrated planning and relationship building, the old and new owners joined hands to transfer skills, uplift the community and grow a thriving business. The Matsamo community’s land claim included 10 000ha in the Kaalrug area near Malalane, one of the largest areas of subtropical crop production in the country. About 1 500 households formed part of the land claim, putting the amount of people benefitting at about 6 000. Of the various farms that are now owned by the Matsamos, some have been leased back to the previous owners while others have entered into joint ventures (JVs).

In 2011 the Matsamos took ownership of the 2 000ha Tomahawk Farm as well as the neighbouring Neos Estate, which is now run as a JV between Tomahawk and the Matsamos. Tomahawk, which is leased from the Matsamos, is in the process of finalising a JV that will be in place for nine years. A new business will be created to run the farm, with the Matsamos and Tomahawk each having an equal share.

Tomahawk comprises 700ha sugar, 120ha mangoes, 150ha litchis, 400ha citrus and 240ha bananas. Neos Estate has 300ha sugar, 55ha citrus, 45ha mangoes and 15ha litchis.

Stuart Butcher, sales and marketing director at Tomahawk, says the farm’s success took precedence over everything else.