Jimmy Botha runs a small, well equipped, highly efficient farm, just outside Johannesburg. Born in Sophiatown, north-west of the City of Gold, his family was forcefully moved to nearby Soweto by the brutal Apartheid regime not long after. His roots alone make him an anomaly in the context of who gets to be a farmer, and how one gets to become one, even by the much-improved standards of modern-day South Africa. Jimmy’s story might be atypical for a farmer but, unfortunately, it is not that unusual for a talented black entrepreneur of his generation trying to break out of poverty, and put food on the table. From manoeuvring the perils of self-administered racial reclassification, to surviving the streets by peddling peanuts and fruits, to ultimately settling into a series of demeaning, low-paying, menial jobs, Jimmy has always been forced to do what had to be done just to make it through the day. That is, until he got an offer that he couldn’t refuse. That offer turned him into a farmer, and changed his life beyond recognition.
Jimmy’s farm, Tila’s Herbs, is situated in the Tarlton area, northwest of Johannesburg. Thirteen years ago when he first walked onto the newly purchased twenty-two hectares, his knowledge of farming was virtually non-existent, and the infrastructure poor at best. His determination to learn led him on a mission to engage neighbouring farmers and suppliers. Today, Tila’s Herbs is a supplier to one of South Africa’s major retailers. Jimmy is living his dream: he’s a successful farmer, with dedicated staff, and his youngest daughter will soon qualify as an agronomist. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx