A-based goat breeder wins Pacesetters award

SOUTH Africa-based Zimbabwean Boer goat breeder and exporter, Mr Ntandoyenkosi Ndhlovu, has scooped the 2023 Pacesetters Awards Goat Farmer of the Year award in recognition of his outstanding works.

The 36-year-old youthful entrepreneur received the award during a ceremony held in Tanzania last week Friday.

Mr Ndhlovu owns Gatsheni Boer Goat Stud in South Africa, and comes from Beitbridge District, Matabeleland South province.

He developed a love for goat farming at a tender age but had little appreciation then of what this passion would take him to.

“When I received a call from the Pacesetters, I was very excited, if you receive such recognition, it means there are people who notice the work you are doing, it might not be a lot of work but the fact that there are people who notice it, means a lot,” said Mr Ndhlovu.

“As Africans, we need to grow in the industry and be able to breed our own animals as blacks because that industry was dominated by white commercial farmers.”

The Pacesetter Awards (PSA) are held annually and are an industry leadership recognition survey initiated by Jubilant Stewards of Africa (JSA), a non-governmental organisation, to celebrate industry leaders for their innovation, quality products, services, job creation, leadership by example, growing the economy and transforming the society.

Every year, Stewards Magazine recognises the most exceptional young community leaders in the region.

The Jubilant Stewards Africa list honours individuals who are excelling in their careers and giving back to the community.

After winning at Pacesetters Awards, Mr Ndhlovu said goat breeding is a unique industry with a lot of opportunities but tight and very strict to pursue.

He added that winning an award in an industry where there are a lot of big guys means one is doing something that other people can appreciate.

“Receiving an award also means rewriting your own history, which as Africans we have to do to make Africa great again, having our own black farmers dominating the industry since we understand our own challenges,” said Mr Ndhlovu.

“Considering that my main market is export, this award means a lot because it opens doors to the bigger market considering Tanzania is one of my next stops where I’m expecting to be exporting.

“It’s easy now for farmers in Kenya and Tanzania where they will say this person is well-known in the industry as they check out scammers.”

Mr Ndhlovu said his main target is to educate his peers to grow their industry and brands with the little they have.

While he is into Boer goat breeding, he said the main target is to promote goat farming following the growing demand of goat meat in the world.

Graduating from Midlands State University in 2016 as an agricultural economist bolded Mr Ndhlovu’s burning desire to put his dream into practice.

While he joined the Municipality of Beitbridge as an assistant farm manager, he never lost focus on goat farming as he continued to run his personal farming projects.

Today, Mr Ndhlovu’s dream has blossomed as he has carved a niche for himself at home and abroad with a vision to impact the whole of Africa through livestock production. —