Important Historical Milestones Of The Farm
Our Farm History
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Address:
Delmas Campus
Plot IR 202 Leeupoort road, Delmas, Mpumalanga
Pretoria Support Office
Plot 146, Luiperd Street, Tierpoort Pretoria East, Gauteng
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Phone:
Delmas: (+27) 10 001 4320
Pretoria: (+27) 12 811 7310
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Email:
info@buhle.org.za
From Vision to Impact
A concise timeline of how Buhle Farmers' Academy was founded, grew its capacity, and expanded its impact across South Africa.
1999
The Vision is Born
Industry, academia and civic leaders unite to establish a training institution for emerging black farmers.
2000
We Take Root
Foundation registered; Academy inaugurated. 150 ha farm near Delmas is donated to anchor practical training.
2008
Capacity Boost
Netherlands partnership funds campus upgrades, irrigation, livestock facilities and competency-based training.
2010
Jobs & Livelihoods
National Treasury Jobs Fund project helps create 1,100 jobs through skills development and farmer support.
2018
Sustainability Milestone
Annual budget reaches R15m with over half self-generated via fees, consulting and commercial farming.
2025
New Chapter
Appointment of a new CEO sets a renewed, forward-looking strategy for greater impact.
View the Full Timeline
1999
The Vision is Born
Our story began with purpose. Seven visionaries — leaders in agriculture, science, diplomacy, and faith — came together, driven by a shared question:
How do we support black South African farmers entering a historically exclusive and unequal agricultural industry?
Through the initiative of Monsanto’s leadership, these pioneers — including Peter Turner, Prof. Jocelyn Webster, Bonile Jack-Pama, Ambassador Bene M’Poko, Vuyo Mhlati, Wille Maree, and Bishop Johannes Seoka — envisioned a place where emerging farmers could receive the practical skills they needed to succeed. From this dialogue, the idea of a farmer training institution was born.
We Took Root
In June 2000, our foundation, the Food Health Hope Foundation, was officially registered, and with it, Buhle Farmers’ Academy was established.
We set out with a bold slogan: “Training people in the business of farming.”
In August 2000, we were officially inaugurated by the Minister of Agriculture, Ms. Thoko Didiza, with Dr. Andrew Young, farmers U.S. Ambassador to the UN, as a guest of honour.
This was not just a ceremonial day — it marked the beginning of real transformation. We were gifted 150 hectares of prime farmland near Delmas by Monsanto SA, turning what could have been job losses after a company acquisition into an opportunity to train ex-employees and new black farmers across the country.
A tree was planted to symbolize our growth — and it still stands tall today.
2000
2003
Our Work Was Celebrated
Recognition followed. Monsanto SA received the Bronze “Stars of Africa” Award from the American Chamber of Commerce in South Africa for their visionary role in establishing Buhle.
The award was more than a trophy — it validated the transformative potential of our mission. We were starting to be seen, heard, and respected.
We Became a Legal Entity
We made an important step forward: Buhle was formally registered as a non-profit organisation. Four of our founding trustees became directors, helping shape our governance and strategy.
Monsanto SA retained two seats on our board but made it clear — for Buhle to succeed long-term, we needed to diversify our funding. The search for additional partners began, setting the stage for a broader network of support.
2004
2008
We Expanded with Global Support
In 2008, our capacity grew in ways we never imagined. We partnered with the Netherlands Government, securing €956,434 (R11.5 million) for a 4-year project titled:
“Improving the Capacity of Buhle Farmers’ Academy for Skills Development of Emerging Farmers in South Africa.”
With this support, we:
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Refurbished 4 classrooms.
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Built 2 new ablution blocks.
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Installed 15 hectares of irrigation
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Constructed a piggery and feedlot.
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Purchased modern office computers and systems.
Sent 6 staff members to PTC+ in the Netherlands to learn Competency-Based Learning techniques - now the bedrock of our teaching model. This year was a turning point. We moved from being just functional to being formidable.
We Created Jobs and Impact
Our commitment to transformation deepened when we were awarded a three-year project by the National Treasury’s Jobs Fund.
Our goal: help people not just learn — but earn.
Through training and support, we created 1,100 jobs in the agricultural sector, proving that skills development leads directly to livelihoods. We were not just growing crops - we were growing futures.
2010
2018
We Stood on Our Own Feet
We hit a major sustainability milestone. Our annual budget had grown to R15 million, and for the first time, more than 50% was self-generated through:
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Student fees.
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Agricultural training consulting.
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Income from our own commercial farming activities. With loyal partners like Monsanto, John Deere, Humulani Trust, Cargill, Nedbank, and others, we secured the rest.
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Nyiko Maluleke became our CEO.
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Zamo Hlongwe was appointed Executive Director of Buhle Farming & Services (Pty) Ltd.
We also prepared for the future by strengthening our leadership:
Together, they brought energy, innovation, and stability to guide us into the next decade.
A New Chapter Begins
Today, we step confidently into the future with the appointment of Mr. Kingsley Kwane as our new CEO.
His leadership ushers in a new era — one that is youthful, visionary, and determined to take Buhle to greater heights. We are proud of how far we’ve come. But we’re even more excited about what lies ahead.
2025
