After a long battle with cancer, Peter Menné, a much-respected farmer of the Soutpansberg, passed away on Saturday, January 30. He was a well-known breeder of Bonsmara and then Nguni cattle and Pedi sheep.

Peter was born in Cape Town in 1943 and completed his schooling at Kingswood College in Grahamstown. He then did his National Service at the Air Force Gymnasium in 1961.

After that, Peter attended Pretoria University, where he studied under the famous Jan Bonsma. He graduated cum laudae with a BSc Agric degree and followed this with a master’s degree. He received both the Jan Bonsma and Farmer’s Weekly awards for his achievements.

Peter then worked for the Department of Agriculture in Pietermaritzburg as a consultant to farmers in Natal and East Griqualand. Later, he joined Stockowners, a livestock company, also in Pietermaritzburg.

At the beginning of 1978, Peter became head of the farming division of Beeskor in Pretoria, where he was in control of their farms situated in various parts of the country.

Peter and his wife Pat moved to Louis Trichardt in September 1981, as he wanted to assist his father on the family farm, Melkhoutkopjes. He joined Vleissentraal and became well-known and respected by the farmers of the area for his knowledge, guidance and passion for cattle.

Peter was approached to join the newly formed agricultural faculty at the University of Venda, where he was much admired and respected by the many students who studied under him.

Peter retired from the university at the end of 2008, just three months after being diagnosed with pancreatic and liver cancer. By this time, Melkhoutkopjes had been sold to the Manavhela community under a land claim and Peter spent his last year developing his farm at Welgevonden, where he had hoped to farm during his retirement years.

Peter won many national prizes for his animals, including the Farmer’s Weekly Nguni Cow of the Year Award in 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2006. His advice was always sound and readily given. His gentle and unassertive manner enhanced his kindness and helpfulness, but never disguised the breadth and depth of his knowledge, particularly about animals. This, however, never stopped him from always wanting to know more.

Peter will be remembered in Louis Trichardt not just for his contribution to farming, but also as a valuable and involved member of the community. He was an active member of the Chairperson’s Association and the Soutpansberg Town Watch, as well as having, amongst others, served on the Rooivleisfees committee, the Bandelierkop Farmer’s Association and Soutpansberg Commando.

Peter will be very sadly missed by many, including his wife Pat, brother Michael, sisters-in-law and nephews and nieces.

A memorial service will be held for Peter on Saturday, February 6 at 11:00 at the Agapé Church in Munnik Street, Louis Trichardt.