LETSITELE: Third generation business wins Limpopo Farmer of the Year
Edward Vorster and sons from Mahela Boerdery have been selected as Limpopo Farmer of the Year and will participate in the national awards ceremony of the Agricultural Writers SA in Paarl on 16 November when the National Farmer of the Year will be announced.
Mahela Boerdery with various business interests grouped together under the Mahela Group name and was established in 1942 by the late BJ Vorster.
It is now in the hands of the third generation.
The name “Mahela” was given to BJ Vorster by the local people and means quick, no nonsense, and this was the way this business has grown ever since.
Today Mahela owns 8 326 ha of land and lease another 1 364 ha on which citrus and subtropical fruit are produced as well as livestock and game are kept.
In total Mahela produces around 70 000 tonnes of citrus fruit as well as 10 000 tonnes of subtropical fruit per annum – mostly for the export market.
Other business interests of the group include a chartered flight service, shares in Granor Passi (juice company), Houers Koöperatief Beperk (carton manufacturer), Destrimix (chemical company), an OK Minimart and liquor store, a fuel station and a franchise take-away restaurant. Mahela Group is also involved in the conservation and breeding of game, some of which are owned and marketed as part of a 50% partnership agreement with Laeveld Sitrus in the name of BJ Vorster.
Mahela Group also owns 50% of BJ Blyde, which has mango and citrus interests in Hoedspruit. Mahela has also started a joint venture with the Rietfontein Homeless People’s Trust to establish soft citrus of 110 ha on their land, which will be part of the 300 ha soft citrus project close to Ohrigstad.
About 170 ha, of which 100 ha are under nets, are already planted. The Khomanani Mahela project, of which 50% is owned by some of Mahela’s long term and middle management workers, is also a very exciting new development!
