"You do not have to wait to complete your university degree to practice what you have learnt. You can use the knowledge while at the same time earning cash for yourself."

These are the words of wisdom from Rofhiwa Frans Manyadze (22) a third-year B Agric student at the University of Venda. Frans has already started using the wealth of experience he gained from the classroom situation to establish a vegetable garden at his home in Mukula – Khavhambe village.

"Lupfumo lu mavuni vharathu vha nga (Wealth is in the soil, my younger brothers). Why must I wait to be qualified as an agricultural officer whereas I have accumulated enough knowledge to keep me going?" asked Frans during Mirror’s visit.

Frans has cultivated cabbage, green peppers, spinach and tomatoes, which he sells to the public. He added: "Look, I no longer have to ask for anything from my parents. I can buy books and other required education equipment with the cash I make from selling my products. Other youths can also do this, but it requires someone who works hard and has the love for agriculture at heart."

Frans said he fell in love with agriculture at a very young age. "I used to make a small garden at home, using tree branches (u vhia) as a fence while I was still at primary school. I would take the harvest home to enjoy with the family and since then, I told myself that one day I would be a farmer."

He explains how he started the vegetable garden at home. "There were lots of mango trees around the yard and I asked my father, Maxwell, if he would give me permission to destroy them so that I could start with the vegetable garden. My father is always the pillar of my strength and he assisted me in removing them. I then started producing the vegetables and everyone noticed that I was becoming more serious daily. I never looked back because I knew that, one day, I would reap the fruits of my hard labour."

Frans said although he was producing quality vegetables, he was worried that the space was becoming too small. "I need a bigger space where I will farm without any shortcomings. I need people who can assist me to acquire more land, so that I can also create employment by employing other community members." Asked how he balances his farming, social and educational commitments, Frans quickly said: "Only effective time management and hard work will make you what you want to be."

Frans can be contacted at 072 974 6678.