In the heart of Bronkhorstspruit, South Africa, a determined and resilient woman is carving a path in the world of agriculture after life threw her an unexpected and tragic challenge. Anelly Mokwena, a 38-year-old commercial farmer, never envisioned herself as a farmer. Yet today, she’s the proud owner and director of Sethjoka Farming, a flourishing 550-hectare farm, and a beacon of hope for emerging farmers.
Mokwena’s journey into agriculture began in the wake of a personal tragedy. In 2016, her father, a seasoned commercial farmer, was tragically shot during a robbery on their family farm. Left with no choice, Mokwena, a trained civil engineer, had to step up and take over the family’s farming operations.
“I did not have any ambitions of going into farming,” Mokwena candidly admits. “Our father had encouraged us to study and pursue other careers.” With no prior experience in farming, Mokwena was thrust into a world she barely knew. Worse yet, her father had been secretive about the inner workings of their business, leaving her to learn everything from scratch. “I spent a significant amount of time going through financial statements and other documents,” she says. “I had to learn almost everything from scratch.”
The timing of her father’s death could not have been more difficult. He passed away during harvest season, and Mokwena had to take over orders for the following season, ensuring that operations continued without faltering. It was a huge operation, and the pressure to fill her father’s shoes weighed heavily on her shoulders. Yet, despite these obstacles, Mokwena persevered.
She took over the farming of white and yellow maize, sunflowers, and cattle. However, she soon realized that continuing the sunflower crop was not viable. “We stopped the sunflower crop because we did not have enough land. It works well if other farmers in the area also grow sunflowers and you share the beds. Currently, none of the neighboring farms grow them, so if you do it alone, your yields are diminished because of the birds that attack the crop,” she explains.
With the weight of managing the farm resting solely on her shoulders, Mokwena soon faced financial challenges. For years, she ran the farm from her own pocket, surviving hand-to-mouth. The business was stagnant, unable to grow due to a lack of resources. It wasn’t until the Land Bank stepped in with much-needed support that things began to change.
Land Bank’s Crucial Intervention
After a rigorous six-month application process, Mokwena’s request for funding was finally approved by the Land Bank in late 2023. The funding came in the form of a blended finance instrument, structured as 50% grant and 50% loan. This financial support included both agricultural implements and technical assistance, giving Mokwena’s business the boost it desperately needed.
“The Land Bank has come through for us. They came when we needed them the most,” Mokwena shares. “Until last season, the whole project was being run from my pocket, and it wasn’t easy. I was surviving from hand-to-mouth and the business was not growing.”
In January 2024, the Land Bank delivered crucial equipment to her farm, allowing Mokwena to operate more efficiently and profitably. With the financial stress now behind her, Mokwena has set her sights on expanding Sethjoka Farming’s operations. Currently farming on 400 hectares, she plans to grow the business to around 1,000 hectares in the near future.
“The blended finance from the Land Bank means I’ll be able to make a profit while growing the business,” Mokwena says, her relief palpable. Her future plans include expanding her maize operations and continuing to improve the cattle farming side of the business.
A Bright Future for Women in Agriculture
Anelly Mokwena’s story is not just one of perseverance and determination. It’s a testament to the growing role of women in agriculture and the importance of financial support for emerging farmers. Mokwena is paving the way for other women to follow in her footsteps, proving that with the right tools and resilience, anything is possible.
Her journey from a civil engineer forced into farming by tragedy, to a successful and growing commercial farmer, shows that sometimes life’s most unexpected challenges can lead to the most rewarding opportunities.
For more information on how the Land Bank is supporting emerging farmers like Anelly Mokwena, visit www.landbank.co.za.
