This Article first appeared in Farming SA issue #10 June 2008 (pdf link) and has been formatted for web viewing by Agristart.
The life of Benjamin Ratshikana, a lawyer who remained a village boy at heart, was changed forever by the influence and guidance of commercial farmers. He is regarded as one of the three best South African cattle farmers of 2008.
A developing farmer who knows what he wants and works hard to reach his goals, will succeed and become fully commercial. I started farming in 1999 and managed to become fully commercial in a few years. I can only recommend that fellow cattle farmers buy quality bulls to improve their herds.
My passion for quality cattle grows day by day. As a youngster I had not been exposed to any farming activities. I was born and raised in the village of Dinokana in the Lehurutshe district of South Africa’s North West province where I attended school. I qualified as a lawyer – a profession I still follow. Many people influenced me and inspired me to develop a love for farming. During October 1999 my path crossed those of two commercial farmers, At Niemand of Schweizer Reneke and Boetie Viljoen of Leeudoringstad. They inspired me and taught me about cattle farming in general. But when I saw their farms, I said to myself that I couldn’t start farming cattle if I didn’t even have a farm. At that stage it was just as difficult to buy a farm as it is today; agricultural land was very expensive. Then I met Daniël Hlongwane, who farms near Rustenburg. He encouraged me to go for the farming option. I ultimately managed to make a start in the communal area of Tlapeng village close to Mafikeng.