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The profile of black sheep farmers in the freehold areas of the Eastern Cape Karoo : a resource for inclusive growth
Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2025.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | en_ZA |
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2025
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| _version_ | 1867613918919131136 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Mrwebi, Buhle |
| author2 | van der Merwe, Melissa |
| author_browse | Mrwebi, Buhle van der Merwe, Melissa |
| author_facet | van der Merwe, Melissa Mrwebi, Buhle |
| author_sort | Mrwebi, Buhle |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description |
Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/132256 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| language | en_ZA |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:43:47.401Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/132256 The profile of black sheep farmers in the freehold areas of the Eastern Cape Karoo : a resource for inclusive growth Mrwebi, Buhle van der Merwe, Melissa Kirsten, Johann Stellenbosch University. Faculty of AgriSciences. Dept. of Agricultural Economics. Sheep farming -- Eastern Cape (South Africa) Rural development -- Eastern Cape (South Africa) Land tenure -- Eastern Cape (South Africa) UCTD Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. Mrwebi, B. 2025. The Profile of Black Sheep Farmers in the Freehold areas of the Eastern Cape Karoo: A Resource for Inclusive Growth. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/726e5c46-497c-470a-8dcc-3589eca4911c ENGLISH SUMMARY: Almost three decades after the end of apartheid, South Africa’s agricultural sector remains highly dualistic, with a stark divide between large-scale commercial farmers, predominantly white-owned, and smallholder farmers, primarily operated by black farmers. Despite various government interventions to promote inclusive growth, significant gaps remain, particularly in freehold areas, where black farmers operate outside of communal land but remain marginalised in commercial agriculture. The lack of a comprehensive database or typology of these farmers limits efforts to support their commercialisation and economic integration. This study seeks to fill this gap by profiling black sheep farmers in the Karoo region of the Eastern Cape, assessing their contribution to the agricultural economy, and identifying opportunities to enhance their market participation and growth. Using a qualitative, exploratory research approach, the study collected data through semi-structured interviews with 36 black sheep farmers in four local municipalities within the Sarah Baartman District Municipality: Blue Crane Route, Ikwezi, Inxuba Yethemba, and Camdeboo. The study mapped the sheep farming value chain, identified production systems, and examined market access dynamics. The findings reveal that most farmers primarily rely on natural grazing, with supplementary feeding and feedlots used seasonally, particularly during droughts and lambing periods. Meat production dominates farming activities, with 42% of farmers focusing on sheep sales. However, many farmers employ mixed farming strategies, integrating crops such as lucerne and maize or combining sheep and cattle farming to diversify income sources and improve resilience to economic and climatic shocks. A value chain analysis highlights the informal nature of market participation, with limited engagement in structured retail and wholesale networks. Many farmers sell live sheep locally, relying on farm-gate sales, auctions, or direct transactions with buyers. Wool production, though practised by some, faces barriers such as inadequate shearing equipment and distant markets, limiting its viability for small-scale farmers. Farmers in the region experience significant constraints, particularly land tenure insecurity, high input costs, predation, and lack of access to financing, extension services, and formal markets. A typology of black sheep farmers in the Eastern Cape Karoo was developed to assess commercialisation levels based on age, farm size, and gross farm income. Four farmer categories were identified: 1. Vulnerable farmers (64%) are aged 25–40, earning R10,000–R100,000 annually, with farms under 1,000 ha, relying primarily on local sales. 2. Livelihood farmers (25%) are aged 35–55, managing 1,000–5,000 ha, with annual earnings of R100,000–R350,000, and a mix of farming and off-farm income. 3. Medium-scale farmers (8%) operate on just over 5,000 ha, earning R350,000–R699,000 per year, with 45–65 years being the dominant age group. 4. Commercial-scale farmers (3%) operate at 7,400 ha or more, earning R700,000+ annually, and tend to be 40–70 years old, with more structured business models. This study provides valuable insights into black farmers’ commercial potential, existing barriers, and policy implications. The study contributes to the broader discourse on agricultural transformation and inclusive economic growth in South Africa by identifying key constraints and opportunities for targeted interventions. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar. Masters 2025-06-02T05:31:47Z 2025-06-02T05:31:47Z 2025-03 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/132256 en_ZA Stellenbosch University 79 pages : illustrations, maps, includes annexures application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Sheep farming -- Eastern Cape (South Africa) Rural development -- Eastern Cape (South Africa) Land tenure -- Eastern Cape (South Africa) UCTD Mrwebi, Buhle The profile of black sheep farmers in the freehold areas of the Eastern Cape Karoo : a resource for inclusive growth |
| title | The profile of black sheep farmers in the freehold areas of the Eastern Cape Karoo : a resource for inclusive growth |
| title_full | The profile of black sheep farmers in the freehold areas of the Eastern Cape Karoo : a resource for inclusive growth |
| title_fullStr | The profile of black sheep farmers in the freehold areas of the Eastern Cape Karoo : a resource for inclusive growth |
| title_full_unstemmed | The profile of black sheep farmers in the freehold areas of the Eastern Cape Karoo : a resource for inclusive growth |
| title_short | The profile of black sheep farmers in the freehold areas of the Eastern Cape Karoo : a resource for inclusive growth |
| title_sort | profile of black sheep farmers in the freehold areas of the eastern cape karoo a resource for inclusive growth |
| topic | Sheep farming -- Eastern Cape (South Africa) Rural development -- Eastern Cape (South Africa) Land tenure -- Eastern Cape (South Africa) UCTD |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/132256 |
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