Agri SA CEO Johann Kotze on dealing with anger around land and his passion for farming

Johann Kotzé joins Stephen Grootes for an in-depth interview on The Money Show.

Johann Kotzé has virtually become the voice of farmers in South Africa since being taking up the position of Agri SA CEO in October 2023.

Kotzé grew up in a farming family in the North West province and went on to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Economy at the University of Pretoria, and a Master’s Degree in Business Management.

His work as an agricultural banker was preceded by a stint of farming himself.

Stephen Grootes asks Kotzé what it is that makes local farmers so passionate about their work.

His take is that this love for farming is rooted in a sense of community and a passion for nature.

"If I can recall my own life, you grow up in a farming community not knowing anything else than farming and you live yourself into this dream of being a farmer one day... It's something that is stimulated by being involved in farming from a very young age, and also I think it's like-minded people being together in a community."

Johann Kotzé, CEO - Agri SA

"The other thing is the love for nature - and the love for what we do is not really known. When I travel overseas I meet a lot of farmers and it's different than here. We are conservationists, we love nature; it's something that's deeply embedded in us and I think that's also where the passion comes from."

Johann Kotzé, CEO - Agri SA

Kotzé recalls when ploughing started after the first rains, how his father would put his hands into the soil and bring it to his young son, asking 'can you smell it?'.

This feeling of reward never goes away, says the Agri SA chief.

In the city now and not a farmer anymore, the smell when rain falls still evokes those memories and brings him joy, Kotzé says.

Among other seminal times in his life, Kotzé talks about his time working in Mozambique for Absa.

"The experience enriched my life, and what humbled me the most was what they made of what they had - at that time Mozambique was very poor. I learned that you work with what you have and you turn it into gold; that's what the Mozambicans taught me"

Johann Kotzé, CEO - Agri SA

Kotzé's current role at Agri SA is a challenging one, which he says can sometimes be a bit lonely, especially considering it can make him the target of emotional attacks about the land issue.

He talks about the need for an ability to forgive and to put yourself in someone else's shoes.

"I believe that sometimes we can be very self-centred dealing with this, when people are attacking you as a person. My way is to rather focus on what needs to happen in South Africa and to have a clear mind."

Johann Kotzé, CEO - Agri SA

"At Agri SA we've also learned that there is no greater voice than the testimony of a farmer; we need to advocate that a bit more."

Johann Kotzé, CEO - Agri SA

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to this wide-ranging interview