Jonney Lefa Hoehen, while still a student, cycled between his classroom and his uncle's farm to help during a difficult period. This experience awakened a long-held passion that defined his economic future and ultimately led to the establishment of Klippies Fontein Boerdery farm in the Northern Cape.
Hoehen received his primary education at Postdene Primary School and later attended Blinkklip High School starting in 2015. Around this time, his uncle, Johannes 'Oom Barra' van der Westhuizen, introduced him to agriculture and became his main mentor.
Hoehen recalls: 'My uncle, Oom Barra, motivated me and introduced me to farming from an early age.' Born and raised in Newtown, Postmasburg, Hoehen is the second of four children of Andries and Mietha Hoehen. Although both his maternal and paternal relatives have deep roots in farming, his immediate home environment was not agricultural, making his own path in the field unique.
In 2016, when his uncle's farm worker struggled with alcohol dependency, 15-year-old Hoehen took on responsibilities. He cycled daily between the farm and school to ensure proper livestock care. The physical and mental strain was heavy, and this dedication resulted in him failing tenth grade. Nevertheless, it was in that same year that a turning point occurred.
Hoehen shares: 'In June, the goats gave birth to new little kids, and I think that's when I truly started to love farming.'
After graduating from Blinkklip High School in 2019, Hoehen spent subsequent years taking various jobs to earn income and fund his venture. From early 2020 to March 2021, he assisted his older brother in managing a taxi service for school transport. Shortly after, he took on a dual role at the local stationery shop Gula, working as a courier and graphic design assistant.
However, even while holding these temporary jobs, his heart remained in animal husbandry. With the guidance and support of Oom Barra, Hoehen decided to take his first serious step as an independent farmer. His uncle helped him acquire a 5358 square meter plot of communal land belonging to the local municipality. To formalize his ambitions, Hoehen officially registered his business name, Klippies Fontein Boerdery, in February 2021.
On the new land, Hoehen laid the foundation, starting with a modest herd of 30 goats. To expand his young agribusiness, Hoehen required significant capital. In June 2023, he secured a competitive training program at the local Kolomela mine. For almost eighteen months, until the contract concluded in November 2024, he operated massive Liebherr 9150 and 984 excavators. He directed the earnings towards developing his land and maintaining the livestock.
As he dedicated more time to managing his independent enterprise, Hoehen began closely studying local purchasing habits. After five years of goat farming, he realized his business strategy needed to change to meet community demand. Hoehen explains: 'There is a 'sheep world' here. Local residents are much more interested in sheep than goats. Households regularly buy them for daily consumption, family celebrations, and traditional events such as funerals.'
He made the strategic decision to shift the focus from goats to sheep, creating a stable customer base selling directly to consumers throughout Postmasburg.
Achieving independence brought both significant rewards and new challenges. Hoehen says: 'Being alone taught me so much and helped me grow; it's like being a real father. When I was with my uncle, he was in charge, but now I manage everything. Theft and loss of livestock are hard, but it's part of the journey.'
Today, he employs seven people on the farm, including two livestock workers who have been caring for sheep and goats for over six months. Hoehen plans to transform Klippies Fontein Boerdery into a sustainable agricultural hub that will create long-term jobs, improve food security, and empower rural communities through skills development. His vision is based on the quote from South African rugby legend Bakkies Botha: 'I want my children to be able to say that their father left the land better than he found it.'
For other young people aspiring to start farming, Hoehen's advice is simple: 'Start small, but start informed. Learn everything you can, seek mentorship, and don't be afraid to ask for help. Use what you have, even if it is limited. Consistency, patience, and a willingness to learn are more important than having everything perfect from the start.'