14 Apr 2025

Just before Makomoto from Tonota, driving drive along A1 highway, a vibrant splash of green explodes onto the landscape, a stark contrast to the dusty roadside. 

It is E&G Mmakobotshweu Farm, instantly captivating the eye with its lush fields brimming with life. 

The farm, a demonstration to perseverance and passion, is almost impossible to miss, a verdant oasis against the ochre tones of the African savanna. 

This is not just any farm; it is the realisation of a dream, the culmination of years of hard work and unwavering determination by Mr Ewetse Mathaba, a retired mining engineer and the chairman of the Tonota Agricultural Mechanisation Association (TAMA). From the highway, the abundance is immediately apparent. Rows of healthy sorghum stand tall, their stalks heavy with grain. 

Fields of maize, lablab, sunflowers, beans, and watermelons stretch as far as the eye can see, a kaleidoscope of green and gold under the Botswana sun. It is a vibrant tableau of agricultural bounty, a visual feast that speaks of hard work, ingenuity, and success. 

The inspiration for this impressive project came during Mr Mathaba's time at Lucara, where he witnessed first-hand the positive impact of a company-sponsored horticultural project in Mokubilo. The seed of an idea was planted, an idea that would blossom into Chinaman Farm after his retirement. 

He combined his inherited family plot with additional land purchases, expanding the size of his farm to 34 hectares. 

His vision, though, was far larger than simply cultivating the land. This was to be an integrated farm, soon to include goats and other small livestock. 

The journey, however, was fraught with challenges. 

The first three boreholes yielded nothing but disappointment, costing a over P50,000 each. 

Undeterred, Mr Mathaba consulted various water surveyors, traditional, modern, even Basarwa experts, until a fifth borehole, located with the help of a Mosarwa surveyor, finally delivered the precious water. 

Miraculously, one of the previously dry boreholes then also sprang to life, providing an unprecedented supply. 

“It was a lesson in perseverance,” Mr Mathaba recalls, a twinkle in his eye. “Don't look at the money; look at the result.” His determination was tested beyond water woes. Recent floods tested his resilience, leaving his flat farm waterlogged. 

He was forced to dig trenches to drain the excess water and re-plough his fields multiple times, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to his farm. Despite the setbacks, the resilience of Mr Mathaba and his wife, Gaafele, shines through. 

Working from humble beginnings with a portion of his retirement savings and just three tractor operators and a gardener (after having to reduce his workforce due to financial constraints), they have built a thriving enterprise that provides food for their family and contributes to Botswana's food security. 

The recent floods forced temporary layoffs, but Mr Mathaba is committed to rehiring as soon as conditions improve. 

He is proud to have helped fight unemployment and even more proud of the bumper harvest he anticipates this season, approximately 50 bags each of maize and sorghum. Mr Mathaba’s story, though personal, carries a valuable message for aspiring farmers in Botswana and beyond. 

His advice is that "Start early, while you are young and energetic, with other income streams to support you while the farm develops, and never give up hope in the face of adversity." E&G Mmakobotshweu farm stands as a vibrant symbol of hope, a testament to the power of dedication and a beacon of inspiration on the Botswana landscape. ENDS