The Beauty of Empowerment
Empowerment – what does it actually mean; how important is it; and is it working? The word ‘empowerment’ has been used and (sometimes) abused around the world. It’s often misunderstood and seems to have many interpretations. But in the mohair industry in South Africa, where it is a vital process, the meaning – “the process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one’s life” – seems very apt. Something quite extraordinary has been unfolding.
The South African Mohair Empowerment Trust and what it is doing is a beacon of light, a shining example of a vital and sustainable process. Established in 2010, in simple terms, its aim is to identify, empower and support emerging farmers within the mohair industry. This ensures a sustainable supply of mohair, establishes qualifying participants and entrepreneurs, and commercialises emerging farmers within the mohair industry. And it’s done in an equitable and fair manner. The trustees are industry leaders and growers, but the management and implementation are key, and this is where Beauty Mokgwamme enters the picture. The daughter of a domestic worker, who didn’t have the money to go to university to study further, she decided to enter the world of agriculture in 2003 and began studying at the Grootfontein Agricultural College, the only institution specialising in Angora goats.
“Yes, I was nervous – it was a white male-dominated environment and here I was, this black woman from the rural area of North West Province,” she says.
“But I was accepted, and I made friends there – I am a friendly person, what can I say!”
In her second year, Beauty was named as the best mohair student. She laughs as she describes her experience over the three years – mostly in overalls, very hands-on, and often in the mud! That is why Grootfontein College has a world-class reputation. After her graduation, Beauty was ready to launch her career and she embarked on a short stint at the National Department of Agriculture. After realising how much she loved training, she returned to Grootfontein College and joined the Young Professional Graduate Programme with a specific interest in training farmers in mohair and wool processes. This involved studying every aspect of Angora goat farming – the history, the future, the shearing, classing, producing and managing the goats, including on a small stock production level. “The goat is a beautiful, sensitive, smart and profitable animal,” she says with her trademark big smile. Today she is the highest technically trained woman in South Africa in her field. She pays homage to her lecturer Hans Greef for “teaching me everything I know”. And to Grootfontein College for offering her the best education opportunity.
Of course, it was inevitable that Mohair South Africa would offer her a job. This was a match made in heaven. The Mohair Empowerment Trust needed someone to run the programme and Beauty had all the experience and double the passion. The agreement between the emerging farmers (Empowerment Trust partners) and the Trust is simple, and there is transparency in communication and accountability on both sides.
A prerequisite is that the identified farmer must have access to land with a suitable infrastructure through the government, whether owned or rented on a long-term basis. The partners sign an interest-free goat loan of up to 2 000 goats, consisting of kapaters, ewes or a combination, and the cost of these goats is covered by the contractual sale of mohair through a recognised broker over a period of five years.
The emerging farmer needs to commit to making a financial input to ensure a sustainable farming operation, covering the costs of basic farming supplies such as dips, doses and shearing requisites. And the Trust is committed to provide ongoing support. Beauty currently supports 10 emerging farmers, with 17 beneficiaries. This includes access to vets, field agents from brokers, financial management and ongoing practical education.
It is also imperative to teach the farmers about the Responsible Mohair Standard (RMS) – an internationally recognised industry standard – which enables the farmers to pass the RMS Audit on animal welfare, human resource and other vital practices.
Beauty explains: “It’s my job to ensure that these farmers get the full picture and the constant support necessary to turn them into responsible and superb farmers.” She visits the farmers regularly, or when they need her, and it is imperative for her to support them during kidding and shearing periods.
“I make them bankable and give them the responsibility to take care of the goats so that the goats can take care of them.”
So how is it working on the ground, on the farms? Ayanda Mehlo, who studied agriculture at Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth, is an exemplary example. Although he has been on the (now state-owned) Krantzkloof farm since 2009, before the Empowerment Trust partnership, he describes himself as a business leader and an entrepreneur.
After his studies, he spent seven years running a few informal businesses in a township (one of them was a very successful sweet-selling enterprise) before answering an advertisement asking for potential farmers to utilise and farm government land. He attributes his successful appointment to the sharp business skills he learnt in the township job and his passion for farming. “The farm was in a bad way, and I spent my hard-earned cash upgrading the facilities – it was tough and there was no support from the government,” he says. He heard about Beauty and the Empowerment Trust, and after a conversation and a meeting with her, he realised he needed to upskill, having never farmed Angora goats before.
So before they signed the agreement, he spent a year learning as much as he could about the mighty goats. When he felt worthy of the project, 567 goats found a new home with Ayanda. “I have just had my first kidding season – I am like a new parent – so excited and proud,” he beams. Ayanda is passionate about empowerment.
“It does not mean a handout. It’s the opposite,” he says. “It means standing up to this responsibility and learning as much as I can. I need to work for my opportunity and yes, that means struggle is inevitable, but that’s how I learn.” He is ardent about this. And Beauty is there every step of the way. Constant communication, total transparency and real-life support are what make this relationship work.
Mohair South Africa was spot on in employing her.
“The RMS is critical to our success,” Ayanda continues. “It makes us better and sharper, and that then makes us farmers proud. It is about doing the right thing every time.” His attitude is evident on his farm. It’s neat and green, thanks to the Fish River water availability during this challenging drought, and full of life with these newly born kids. And he is indeed a proud father! I watch him kneel down to gently check in on one of the kids. With a wide grin, he explains: “I carry the lives of eight other farmworkers who are in my employ. They are on my shoulders and that is a privileged responsibility. I love the way my life has turned out and it is with immense gratitude to Mohair SA.”
Further down the road, on Driefontein Farm, is another partner, Lloyd James. He has 739 goats through the Empowerment Trust and they are also kidding. He, too, is emotional about his first season. “I didn’t know much about Angora goats when I started, but I have learned so much through the support from Beauty and the Trust,” Lloyd says. “I love learning. I love reading and watching YouTube to enhance my ever-increasing knowledge.”
He has farming in his blood. His father worked on a mohair farm as a farmworker, and as a child, he used to help and learn from him. “My father taught me the value of hard work and the way of the land. My mother taught me resilience and the value of money. I once asked her for a new pair of Nike shoes, and she sent me straight to work – no new shoes in sight!”
It was through meeting the previous Driefontein owner, Dale Cunningham, that his farm became available for change of ownership. Dale guided Lloyd through the lengthy process of change and, once the deal was signed, left him with 100 goats as a startup. “Dale was so kind and patient,” he recalls. “We created a thorough business plan together and today he is still my mentor. We are in constant contact.”
Lloyd admits that he struggled a lot during those first few years and that it all changed when he met Beauty and became part of the Empowerment Trust. “They took me out of a hole where things were not great in my life and they gave me a way forward. I will always be grateful. My future is now bright.”
He is in daily contact with Beauty. They have, like Ayanda, become friends. There is also solid support from the neighbouring farmers who, too, have become friends. “It’s like Beauty is here all the time with me on this farm, even when she isn’t! She keeps me focused and keeps me encouraged. Being a farmer is not easy,” he says with a wide smile.
The greatest challenge at the moment is the drought, but Lloyd is a devout Christian and believes that the rain will come. He has faith in abundance. “I love what I do with my whole heart. Working with animals gets me closer to God. It is humbling to farm. It is what I was born to do. It keeps me grounded.”
Through the profits from the shearing, he was able to put his daughter through university. She graduated this year and his pride is palpable.
He is looking to buy a second farm as his 15-year-old son is showing promise and an interest in farming.
Once the five-year period of the Empowerment Agreement is up, Lloyd wants to mentor new empowerment farmers to continue this project. He desperately wants to give back, he says, so that he can pay it forward. This is true empowerment. Not lip service, not actionless promises. This is the real deal.
The mohair industry is in good hands, being passed down from an older generation to a newer type generation – one that is filled with solid, humble, curious and grateful farmers who are forming the foundation of sustainable and successful farming practices.
The Beauty of Empowerment indeed.