Once a herd boy, Mfiki Sokhela is now a manager, caring for avocado orchards.

Mfiki Sokhela is a friendly person with a good heart, and his real-life story inspires many. Hailing from the remote village of Msinga, employment opportunities were, and continue to be, extraordinarily limited. The family dynamics added to the weight of his circumstances; he was one of eight children raised by his widowed mother. Their sole means of survival involved the painstaking craft of making clay pots—traditional vessels used to hold beer. They would often sell these pots filled with beer to make ends meet.

The harsh reality they faced meant there was no room in their budget for what many would consider necessities, let alone the luxuries of education, which for them seemed like a distant dream back then. He could not read or write.

Mfiki was only 17 years old when, out of desperation, he asked the KwaSizabantu Mission in his area for piece jobs. He started caring for the cattle as a herd boy on the Mission’s farm, and after a few years, he began working in the greenhouses with the peppers. From there, he was promoted to management because of his work ethic, and he now works in avocado orchards. “This is my spot,” he told me, “June is harvesting time, and that is when I am happiest.”

Mfiki learned how to read and write at the Mission. He works at Emseni Farming, which empowers local farmers through dynamic farmer-to-farmer learning, where knowledge flows freely and experiences are shared. The program actively engages with the community by helping them maximise the potential of their land and providing them with seedlings to nurture their crops.

In addition to this support, Emseni hosts hands-on practical demonstrations on sustainable agricultural practices, allowing participants to learn directly in the fields. They offer free workshops with pragmatic insights that ignite passion and confidence in budding farmers. A key partner in their mission is the Maphumulo Tropical Cooperation, with whom they have established a memorandum of understanding to deliver training and mentorship programs.

Mfiki admires Dietmar Joosten, the farm manager responsible for all the farming projects on the Mission’s premises. This is a significant responsibility, as Emseni grows export-quality avocados. Mfiki mentioned that he has learned everything he knows about farming from Dietmar, who sets an example for all by the way he treats his workers. “He treats his workers with respect,” he said. “He teaches us with patience and allows us to grow in our roles. He creates a positive environment for all the workers and colleagues. When one’s work and contribution are valued, it motivates us to improve and maintain good work.”

Not only did Mfiki find his spot among the avocadoes and a purpose at KwaSizabantu, but also his soulmate! He is happily married, and the couple was blessed with two children. The entire family stays at the mission station, which they call home.

(Read the full story of Mfiki’s life journey in our sisters’ publication, Devoted Issue 37, on the website: https://www.devotedmag.co.za/