Agricultural Consultant from KwaZulu-Natal Implements Technologies in Regional Agriculture

Uzasahe Mbebe, a student whose deep connection to agriculture began in Komani (Queenstown) in the Eastern Cape, learned farming basics from his grandfather, who became his first role model. This early passion led him to Winterberg Agricultural School in Fort Beaufort, where he finalized his career path in the field.

Family Legacy in Agriculture

Today, as a third-year student at Fort Cox Agricultural College, pursuing a degree in agricultural business with a specialization in livestock, Mbebe applies classroom knowledge in practice. Returning home to the village of Mceula, near Welkom, he jointly manages and develops his family's cattle and mohair enterprise with his family.

Mbebe's love for the land was first awakened on family property in Bloukrans, near Komani. Observing his late maternal grandmother, Tristan November, caring for the soil and livestock made an indelible impression on him, an impression that only grew stronger over time.

Mbebe notes: 'The real turning point came in 2018 when I looked at my father's cattle. At that moment, childhood admiration turned into a clear decision, and I realized my future belonged to the land.'

Business Development and Education

In 2019, Mbebe officially launched his farming venture under the name Ummagrico (Pty) Ltd. He began working alongside his father, Zolani Mbebe, and uncles Fudukile Ndlovu, Samnkelo Ndlovu, Luhaya Ndlovu, and Zitukhele Ndlovu, all trading under this legal entity.

When he started that year, his father provided him with an initial herd of cattle to start an independent enterprise. Through disciplined management and strategic growth, Mbebe has increased this initial gift and now manages an impressive herd of over 120 head in his own name.

To turn this lifelong passion into a viable commercial career, Mbebe focused on building a strong educational foundation. Before entering higher education, he gained practical industry experience working at Number 2 Piggeries under the Fort Hare Piggery Trust. His dedication to study also led him to join the Mohair Empowerment Trust, expanding his practical knowledge of premium animal fibers.

Role of the Livestock Student

While studying at college, Mbebe hires a full-time shepherd for the farm and returns home to conduct core care operations such as dipping, shearing, and sorting. His duties include daily herd care, checking animal health, and strategic planning.

Mbebe says: 'With our Dohne Merinos, I conduct scheduled vaccinations, parasite treatments, and monitor nutritional needs during the critical calving period.' He adds that working with the Mohair Empowerment Trust gave him invaluable practical experience in specialized fiber production.

Combining demanding academic studies with a growing agricultural business requires strict time management and a reliable support network. Mbebe explains: 'Since I cannot be in two places at once during the semester, I rely heavily on my father and uncles to manage the daily physical labor. I contribute strategically, coordinating logistics, and am fully engaged on weekends and during academic breaks.'

Mbebe has already successfully applied his college coursework on the farm, particularly regarding parasite control on communal pastures, where roundworms constantly threaten the health of the cattle. He notes: 'In my livestock and agricultural business modules, we focused on targeted herd health programs and tracking resource costs.' Instead of the traditional method of treating the entire herd of over 400 Dohne Merinos, he implemented a structured monitoring approach. This strategic shift prevents costly veterinary treatment leading to parasite resistance and does not deplete the business finances.'

'We started assessing animal condition scores and checking for signs of anemia before dosing. Applying this principle, learned in class, directly reduced our medication costs, protected herd health, and showed my family immediate financial benefit from combining modern science with traditional farming methods.'

Commercializing Communal Farming

Mbebe explains that the choice of the Dohne Merino breed was a strategic decision based on the animal's dual-purpose versatility and high adaptability. While many farmers choose between meat or premium fiber, the Dohne Merino produces high-quality fine wool alongside fast-growing lamb carcasses.

'What is even more important for our specific setup is that they are hardy, resilient animals with outstanding grazing capabilities,' says Mbebe. On communal lands where grazing resources are shared and environmental conditions can be unpredictable, this breed thrives, maintaining high fertility and low maintenance requirements.'

Looking ahead, Mbebe explains that his ultimate goal is to transform the family operation from small-scale farming into a highly structured, commercialized enterprise. 'I want to establish our setups as models of how communal lands can be efficiently used to produce wool, mohair, and premium beef,' he states.

He also plans to implement digital herd management tools to track individual performance, pedigree, and health history for every animal, which is vital for commercial growth. Furthermore, he intends to apply advanced pasture management techniques to enhance grazing efficiency on communal lands, ensuring optimal nutrition for his herd and cattle throughout the year without soil degradation. Combining these modern methods with his mohair knowledge will allow the family to maximize profit and sustainably scale the business.