Zandile Phasha, Farm Visits and Education

She looks after farm visits and show bookings

Zandile organises all farm-based visits to Karoo Edge and our other locations by appointment only. She handles the bookings for everything from prospective deer farmers touring the handling facilities, to chefs meeting the team for provenance briefings, to agricultural colleges arriving with a bakkie full of students after the long drive from town. She also coordinates our seasonal stand at the Bloemfontein showgrounds and manages the barn classroom outside Stellenbosch for education days and genetics talks. On visit days she makes sure everything is prepared: boots by the stoep, water ready, safety rules set out and the team on hand.

No two weeks look the same for Zandile. One day she might be guiding a small group round the axis camps in the early Midlands mist, the next she’s unpacking displays for a show or checking weather and turnout at the barn classroom. She keeps in touch with booking lists, follows biosecurity protocols for every group, and always checks the fencing and paths before visitors arrive.

She connects with visitors, farmers and culinary teams

Zandile is the first contact for anyone wanting to see our animals, facilities or veld management up close. She works closely with Ms Kgomotso Sithole when chefs or butchers visit to learn about venison traceability and abattoir protocols, coordinating cold chain demonstrations and answering sourcing questions. With new and established farmers, she schedules practical walk-arounds with Mr Siphamandla Mnguni or Ms Ilhaam Hendricks, so herd and veterinary questions get answered directly in the field. For education days, she brings in Mr Neo Gxowa for genetics sessions and keeps things running smoothly between classroom and kraal.

At agricultural shows, Zandile is the face of Deer Farming on the stand, fielding questions about stud sales, permits and fencing, and arranging appointments for those who want to visit the Karoo Edge home farm or other regional gates.

She always insists on good preparation and clear communication

Zandile believes that well-planned visits lead to safe, useful conversations. She insists that all bookings are confirmed in writing, with clear directions, arrival times and group numbers. She checks that all visitors get a safety briefing and understand the biosecurity measures, especially around movement restrictions during foot-and-mouth disease controls. She works with the team to make sure everyone is ready, from the camp gates to the backup power for fences and pumps.

Zandile expects visitors to respect the farm’s animals, veld and rules. She keeps communication clear, practical and warm, and always follows up after each visit or show with a summary and next steps if required.