From Corporate Job Loss to Commercial Cattle Farmer: Linda Mthalane’s Post-COVID Success Story

The COVID-19 pandemic forced many to reassess their lives, but few made a pivot as profound as Linda Mthalane. She rose from the depths of unexpected unemployment, having previously worked in the corporate sector, into the agricultural industry.

The move was inspired by her husband’s gift, and as she delved deeper into livestock farming, Mthalane’s passion grew and her efforts flourished. She purchased her first 12 cows just months after receiving the gift.

Some of the steps that helped Mthalane make headway in her newfound profession included attending cattle auctions and conducting market research to explore and understand the intricacies of cattle breeding and management methods.

“The beauty of being on the farm during that time was that there was no risk and it gave me a closer connection to my animals. It was just you and the animals,” she recalled.

Mthalane is now an accomplished commercial cattle farmer who made her formal entry into the sector in 2023 and recently received recognition for the work she has done thus far. She secured a coveted Metropolitan Collective Shapers Award, which recognises, supports, mentors, and funds young local entrepreneurs who are outstanding in the agriculture and logistics fields.

Her first steps into farming came by chance, as the idea of becoming a farmer was never something she had considered.

“My journey into farming was not initially a conscious decision,” said Mthalane.

Her husband, a passionate farmer from a traditional Zulu background, had gifted her a cow to mark their first wedding anniversary. At the time, Mthalane regarded the animal as a curiosity rather than her calling as a cattle farmer.

But when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, it changed everything.

After losing her job in the corporate world, Mthalane found herself with time on her hands and the unexpected opportunity to engage with their family-owned farm.

“I decided that I was going to invest in buying some cattle.”

Her first steps into farming came by chance, as the idea of becoming a farmer was never something she had considered.

“My journey into farming was not initially a conscious decision,” said Mthalane.

Her husband, a passionate farmer from a traditional Zulu background, had gifted her a cow to mark their first wedding anniversary. At the time, Mthalane regarded the animal as a curiosity rather than her calling as a cattle farmer.

But when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, it changed everything.

After losing her job in the corporate world, Mthalane found herself with time on her hands and the unexpected opportunity to engage with their family-owned farm.

“I decided that I was going to invest in buying some cattle.”

At the same time, she embraced the slower-paced lifestyle and the simpler aspects of life compared to the hustle and bustle of city life, to which she had once been accustomed.

As she learned to nurture and care for her herd, Mthalane gained a deeper understanding of the ecosystem of beef production.

“We care for the breeding stock, or the mothers and the bulls,” Mthalane said about the full-scope duties that go hand in hand with ensuring the health and well-being of her cattle.

Having officially registered her business in 2023, she is looking to expand her operations further, managing resources and optimising her cattle herd for profitability.

DAILY NEWS