p
whereFelshNdlovu(ABOVE)
isa productionmanager,
producescitrus,avocados,
bananas,litchis,kiwisand
macadamianuts,andisa major
exporteroftheseproducts.F
ELSH Ndlovu works on the
Mahela Group farm – one of the
country’s biggest private citrus
producers and exporters – based
in the Lowveld region of South
Africa. The 39-year-old farmer
came from humble beginnings,
but worked his way up and made a success of
himself.
“I am one of those who grew up in poverty,”
Felsh says. “It got to a point where I looked at
how I lived in poverty and realised I did not
want to live like that – and I started to dream
and see myself as a leader so I could have a
bright future.”
Felsh’s journey on the farm began in 2011 in
Hoedspruit, where he started with watering
crops and then changed to mixing pesticide.
“Then I was a tractor driver. I also worked
at the workshop for a short while until I was
put in charge of the tractors. I got to where
I am now as the supervisor of the workers.”
Today Felsh manages three of the Mahela
Group farms in Smartfield, Majombo and
Rietfontein.
The Mahela Group produces various fruit
andnutsforpackingandexporting– every-
of success
Growing in agriculture helped Felsh break free
from poverty – and he’s reaping the benefits
thing from litchis, kiwis, bananas, citrus,
avocados and macadamia nuts.
Citrus fruit form the biggest
percentage of produce on Mahela
farms that are exported to
Europe, Asia, Japan, the
Middle East, Far East and
Russia – under the brands
of Makulu Citrus, Mahela
Boerdery and Mala-Mala
Citrus.
Felsh and his team start
work at 7am to achieve
world-class quality yields.
“My task is to be a
supervisor to the workers,
where we work with watering,
spraying pest poison and applying
manure on the crops.”
It is hard, honest work and Felsh wouldn’t
change it, but he adds, “Being a farmer is not
simple, but you can do it if you learn and
understand what needs to be done and how- it’s simple”.
The father of three emphasises he is proud
of where he was able to catapult his career and
hopestoserveasaninspirationforhis
children.
“Iwould like them to look to me as
anexam ple as they grow, and also
remember how I raised them, for them to
reach where I am.
“They should have their own futures, be it
the same as mine or different,” Felsh adds.
The inspiring farmer aims to continue
growing on the farm and wants to continue
doing so until he’s old and can’t farm anymore.
Head to drum.co.za to check out our video
interview with Felsh and enter our online
competition.COMPETITION RULES, TERMS AND CONDITIONS The competition runs from 27 June until midnight on 30 August 2019. You may enter as many times as you like. *Each SMS costs R1, 50. You must be the owner of the cellphone or have permission
from the owner of the cellphone to use it to enter the competition. Staff of Media24, the prize sponsor and their families may not enter. You have to send the correct answer to the question to stand a chance to win. Winners will be chosen by random
draw and will be notified telephonically. If a winner can’t be reached within three calls during business hours, a new winner will be chosen. Media24 and the prize sponsor take no responsibility for any damage caused by entering or taking part in this
competition. The prize sponsor is responsible for delivery of prizes within a reasonable time (4-6 weeks).. By entering this competition, you consent to occasionally receiving promotional material from Media24.
NATION IN CONVERSATION
TOP: The MahelaGroupfarm,,REAPING
THE BENEFITS
Stand a chance to win
R1 500 cash. Simply tell us what
is the biggest export from the
farm Felsh Ndlovu works on?
SMS Farmer 6, followed by your
answer, full name, contact
number, email address and
region to 34683*.