Up close and personal with David Mthombeni – African Farming

WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER BEEN GIVEN?

Don’t expose your business to high financial risk and manage your debt correctly.

WAS THERE SOMETHING YOU WOULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY?

I would’ve gotten involved in policy lobbying work to have some influence in shaping our agricultural policy decisions.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR SINGLE BIGGEST SUCCESS TO DATE?

Playing a big role and influencing the success of our family agri-empire.

WHO HAS MADE THE BIGGEST CONTRIBUTION TO YOUR SUCCESS?

My parents and the shareholders of the business.

WHAT KIND OF RELATIONSHIP DO YOU HAVE WITH YOUR NEIGHBOURING FARMERS?

I have a good and supportive relationship with my neighbours. They have played a pivotal role in our success, especially with technical and strategic support.

ADVICE FOR FARMERS LOOKING FOR FINANCING?

It’s crucial that your business has a good financial record-keeping system before you ask for finance.

WHAT ROLE HAVE INPUT SUPPLIERS PLAYED?

They provide services such as soil testing, performance and analysis reports on specific cultivars for the area and chemicals that are compatible with our soil. This information helps us produce high-yielding crops.

IF THERE WAS A SINGLE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU COULD GIVE THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

We need a concrete agri-strategy to make sure that all land is used productively and optimally. We
also need to bring back land that is lying fallow, especially the land that was given to black farmers through land reform.