Kleinjan Gasekoma farms with braunveih on his farm Bruintjiesfontein in Reivilo in North West. The audience heard that he is the first ever black farmer to be named as a finalist in the event. 

Gasekoma was visibly shocked just a few minutes later when his name was called as the winner of the prestigious title:

“Good evening to everyone here… I don’t know what to say. I am so happy, I did not believe it would happen.

“Thank you so much to the people of Voermol and everyone involved – I don’t know what to say, I am in shock…”

* Kleinjan Gasekoma

Meanwhile Nelius van der Westhuizen from Loxton in the Northern Cape was announced as the national Sheep Farmer of the year. He runs Juriesfontein boerdery with his brother and farms with merino sheep in the tough Karoo climate.

Van der Westhuizen says it feels really good to know that someone has noticed what you are doing and thinks you are doing a good job. He says he and his brother have put a lot of effort into finding a happy medium between intensive and extensive sheep farming practices:

“Many years ago we decided to try to live and dream a farming system that basically brings together two different worlds. You get intensive farming, which delivers wonderful production but your costs are unfortunately very high. That can mean you do not manage to stay within your margins because of the high costs.

“Then there are the guys who do extensive farming, like here by us. A benefit is that you are able to keep your costs low but also unfortunately, especially in years like this, you have lower production.”

* Nelius van der Westhuizen

Sabrina Dean/OFM News