Paballo Magalenyane (29) is an enthusiastic young man from the Sesotho speaking community of Matjhabeng in Bloemfontein in the Free State. He holds a bachelor's degree in Agricultural Management obtained from University of Free State. He is interested in becoming an agricultural entrepreneur, he likes running, swimming, volunteering for community services, serving God, reading and learning other languages from different cultural backgrounds.

Q: Please can you tell us about your placement and what your job entails?

I'm currently placed at Joseph Baynesfield Piggery which is situated between Pietermaritzburg and Richmond in KZN. I work at the weaner and grower section where I  am responsible for  mainly animal  health which involves vaccinations and other tasks that ensure smooth operations of efficient Piggery. Other times I work at Baynesfield swine research unit, where we conduct feed trials for weaners and growers.

Q: What has been the most rewarding aspect of your job so far?

The most rewarding aspect about my work is having to learn new tactics and methods of operating a commercial piggery, learning new cultural values and norms, and being exposed to other different agricultural practices here at Baynesfield. I'm proud of my vaccination performance because now our mortality rate has dropped significantly. That's why the manager trusts me to oversee the vaccinations and animal health.

Q: What have been the most challenging aspects of your work so far? And how have you dealt with them?

The most challenging aspect of my job, is working with short staff, as other colleagues are on leave, but we always do our level best to get everything done right and as efficiently as possible.

Q: What advice do you have for the next generation of Future Farmers starting apprenticeships?

My advice to them would that they should set clear achievable goals for themselves before starting the apprenticeship, they should have passion for what they are doing, because that passion is going to be tested over and over again. They should believe in themselves and their potential to achieve whatever goal they set for themselves. Lastly, they should always be good to people when are on their way up the ladder, because they will need them on their way down.

Q: What are your plans for the future, where are you going to be in five year’s time?

My plans for the future is to gain experience in piggery on an international level. I plan to study Veterinary nursing in the near future. In five years, I would be in an executive/management position in my career. In five years, I want to see myself as cattle and livestock farmer.