YOUNG FARMER SNAPS NEW TOYOTA HILUX

The hard work of Siphiwo Gift Mafuleka was rewarded on Tuesday 11 October when he received the keys to his brand new Toyota Hilux 3.0 Xtra Cab D-4D Raider at a gala award in Johannesburg.

Gift Mafuleka (30) was recognised as the most promising young farmer from a previously disadvantaged background in the 2011 Toyota New Harvest Competition, which was run by Toyota SA Motors concurrently to the Agri SA / Toyota SA Young Farmer of the Year competition.

“Farming is a very challenging profession and farmers have to manage a multitude of business areas. To run a successful farm is a big challenge and we would like to recognise and salute farmers like Gift who had overcome even more challenges than the most farmers,” says Marius Burger, Senior Vice President of Corporate Administration and Toyota SA Motors.

Mafuleka farms in the Bronkhorstspruit area of Gauteng with maize, peas, sweetcorn, vegetables and beef cattle. He was nominated by the Gauteng Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (GDARD). 

Young Mafuleka obtained a National Diploma in Agriculture and a BTech: Crop Production degree before settling on the farm. He is a member of Grain SA and frequently attends their study groups and those of the GDARD.  He also manages an agricultural consultancy firm. He donates some excess produce to local residents including orphanages and is also educates local schools on agriculture as a career. 
 
Before handing him the keys to his brand new brand new Toyota Hilux Xtra Cab 3.0 D-4D Raider, the panel of judges, under convenor Prof. Carlu van der Westhuizen of the Central University of Technology, Free State, commended Mafuleka’s farming acumen and strict monetary and administrative controls.

STORY BY TOYOTA