About Us | Mysite 23

VISION AND MISSION

To be the unrivalled organisation for black farmers to work together to achieve sustainable agricultural policies which will ensure inclusive growth throughout the value chain.

We are committed to empowering our members, our future captains by using various initiatives that will ensure equal access to resources, opportunities, encourage innovation and creativity to yield sustainable results that will have a positive impact in our economy and communities.

Our Company

Safety

Inclusive Development – we are driven by wanting to develop an inclusive system that will drive more inclusive growth and involve determined black farmers in their own development.
The Spider Web Economic Doctrine - to become the major black economic force in the industry. Because of our spider web mentality, when a Rand comes into our network that Rand will not leave the network. It must be reinvested by buying from other members.
People – We’re passionate about making measurable impact in all we do and all people we cross paths with. Our unique culture and approach deliver enduring results. We will do the right thing by our farmers, our stakeholders, and our communities.
Transparency – What you see is what you get. We believe that transparency breeds trust and trust is the foundation of lasting relationships.
Passion – Passion in the agricultural work we are doing and where we are going. The word “No” or “that will never work” is not in our vocabulary.
Leadership - We have a clear vision of where we are going. Our goals are focused to achieve our leadership objectives and strategies

Farmers United of South Africa Board of Directors are elected by our farmer members across the 9 Province Branches.

The organisation was founded by Ronnie McKenzie and Leeko Makoene, and later on were joined by Shaun Cairns. In their roles as founders and co-founder they exclusively speak on behalf of member farmers at local, national and international level, and frequently represent the organisation at Government, Stakeholder and Community meetings.

LEADERSHIP

Ronnie Mckenzie - President

Ronnie McKenzie has been in farming for the past three years. He is a renowned pig farmer in Magaliesberg. He has since expanded his operation to include game, cattle, sheep and goats. Ronnie’s background is in Politics and Business. He brings with him intense passion in getting Government to be an integral part in transforming the industry and commercializing black farmers. His favourite saying is: “Not for farmers, without farmers.” Ronnie was elected the President of FUSA in April 2018.

Leeko Makoene – Vice President

Leeko Makoene is a Social-Entrepreneur with a Human Resource, Industrial Psychology, Business and Farm Management qualifications. Leeko is very passionate in using agriculture as a tool to transform rural and township economies. She comes with broad entrepreneurial, managerial and organizational skills. A driven strategic thinker with key skills and competencies in Rural Development, Agriculture and Agro-processing.

Shaun Cairns – Chairman

Agricultural entrepreneur in the Western Cape Province encouraging a healthy living and being environmentally friendly through application of organic farming models through wide range of agricultural produces. His main intention is spread his models to varies communities and school within Western Cape Province. He is a qualified horticulturist promoting agro-ecological practices based/informed by principles of health, fairness, ecology and care.

Tshepo Phaahla

holds a National Diploma in Animal Production that he obtained from Tompi Seleka College in 2000 and completed a BTech with University of South Africa (UNISA) in 2014. He is currently registered for a Project Management Course with the Continuing Education at the University of Pretoria.

He has been active in livestock production research and development as a trainee in small stock production at the ARC-Irene in 2001, a manager of a piggery at Keibees Western Cape in 2002, a YAEDP trainee and graduate of 2003, Manager of Africa Pig Development in 2004 – 5, and a Field Technician for Dairy Improvement at the ARC-Irene in 2005 – 6. In 2006, Tshepo joined NERPO as the General Farm Manger.

He was responsible for NERPO’s three training farms, a mentor of the trainees in piggery and ensuring that all the trust NFEDT farms are manage and run in a profitable manner whilst delivering best training and mentorship to agricultural graduates.

Rejoin Agricultural research Council, as a research technician under pig performance testing schemes in 2011-13. In 2014- Jan 2016, he joined South African Pork Producers Organization (SAPPO) as project manager responsible for developing pig farmers.

He is also a qualified master mentor, assessor and has various short course certificate on livestock and business management. His major interest is the development of commercially-oriented livestock producers and youth development programme.

Jimmy Botha

Jimmy Botha is the founder and owner of Tila’s Herbs farm, a fresh produce supplier to premium food retailers such as Woolworths. Jimmy started farming at the age of 45, subsequent to a career transition from telecommunications.. Tila’s Herbs is accredited with implementing global best practice, adhering to the highest standards of quality and sustainability. Jimmy comes wit extensive knowledge and years of experience in agriculture and farming for the future. He runs a reputable farming business that employs 70 people.