Transforming agriculture in the Free State through apple farming

Remmoho Investments in Agriculture is a unique example of BEE that works. What should new entering BEE growers know about the challenges and opportunities in apple farming in the Free State? Gerrit Rautenbach recently joined Remmoho’s information day.

“An aunt of mine on my dad’s side married a Karoo farmer, and I loved spending time there as a kid. I guess that’s where it all began,” Kobus du Preez begins the amazing story that led to a blossoming apple farm near Bethlehem in the Free State. After realising he loved farming, he eventually became the owner of Stead Farm, 14 kilometres outside Bethlehem. And because he passionately believes in the future of South Africa, which means he wants to help more South Africans to share in this dream, he is now a shareholder of a farming business operating on Stead Farm.

Introducing Pitso Sekhoto. He is the chairman of Remmoho Investments in Agriculture (RIA) and a prominent leader in South African agriculture, focusing on transforming the Free State sector through apple farming. He leads a 100% black-owned enterprise, driving employment and innovation in the Thabo Mofutsanyana district.

“I realised that Pitso is very driven, doesn’t take no for an answer or gets disheartened. He just knocks on doors and kicks them open until he gets what he wants. An awesome entrepreneur. He was the right person to have as a partner.”

Pitso aims to significantly boost the Free State’s GDP and create up to 500 jobs as soon as possible. Sounds like another Apple guru, doesn’t it? But if your belief is in apples, anything is possible.

There was a high-level farmer’s day held on Wednesday, 30 April 2026, at Stead Farm, Bethlehem, where Remmoho CEO Phuti Kubushi said that at present, the Western Cape might be the primary producer of apples in SA, but they are struggling with adequate land and water. “Our environment and climate allow us to add to what they are doing in the Western Cape because we have plenty of land and water from Lesotho. We want to change the perception that the Western Cape is the leader in apple production.”

To prove the point about abundant water, the farmer’s day was a murky, muddy, wet affair, but while it deterred some invitees, a handsome crowd came to listen and learn. Everybody loves a good news story.

After the official opening and interesting keynote addresses by the leaders of Remmoho Investments in Agriculture, the rain abated significantly for the orchard walk to take place. Karabo Matshele, assistant manager of Stead Farm (and Pitso’s son-in-law), as well as Pitso himself, explains the story of the old and the new orchards.

The time range between the old and the new is from 1999 to 2025, and the main differences are that the new orchards’ rootstocks are more dwarfing than the old ones. The new orchards have a higher planting density (3,300 trees per hectare versus 1,664 trees per hectare). That is 3 m between rows versus 4 m and 1 m between trees versus 1.5 m.

The new orchards have been planted with the latest cultivars, such as Lady-in-Red, Buks Gala, Bingo Gala and Fuji Royal. These cultivars have better colour development, so a higher Class 1 pack-out should be achieved, resulting in higher income per hectare. The new orchard has a drape net system rather than the conventional hail net system used in the old orchard. On pruning – before employees are allowed to do too much detailed pruning, they are allowed to focus on one function at a time. The new orchards will need even less pruning as the trees will not be allowed to grow as big as the older ones. Less work will need to be done on ladders, which is time-consuming to move around.

After the orchard tour, it was evident that the walk in the cold Free State fresh air required some nourishment. Oh, my word, lamb on the spit, “boerewors”, chicken on the fire and “stywepap” with chakalaka and veggies par excellence did the trick before the pack house visit.

Stead Farm uses the Maluti pack house, which has been in operation since 2001, located a few kilometres from the farm. They expect to pack 8 000 tons of apples this season. The sorting and grading are performed by a French-made Maf Rhoda machine equipped with the latest electronic and optical equipment. Packing is done by hand. Quality is assured by continuously checking samples of packed cartons. Safety protocols have been developed over the years and are continuously improved. This includes regular training of employees.

Roughly 50% of the fruit is exported, and the remainder goes to local supermarkets and municipal fresh-produce markets. No juicing plant exists in the area. However, they have a strong “hawkers” market, which buys most of the low-quality fruit that could have been juiced. The cultivars being packed are Gala types (Royal Gala, Royal Beaut, Bingo Gala and Buks Gala), Early Red One packed as Top Red, African Red, Granny Smith, Fuji, Cripps Pink types packed as Pink Lady, Rosy Glow and Lady-in-Red, and Cripps Red.

The only heritage variety they grow and pack is Granny Smith, and these are grown solely for cross-pollination. They fetch a much lower selling price than the main cultivars as mentioned above, because the new cultivars are much better tasting. They do not grade according to texture or taste; however, it may become a requirement in future.

Remmoho Investments in Agriculture is a unique example of BEE that works. What should new entering BEE growers know about the challenges and opportunities in apple farming in the Free State?

“BEE growers should keep up to date with changes in the industry by employing the best consultants in their orchards and pack houses. New growers in the industry have the opportunity to start their farms with the latest cultivars and orchard design, including rootstocks, planting density, netting systems, and irrigation. Challenges like climate, pests, et al., are the same for all types of growers,” says Pitso, walking into one of his orchards with his grandson in tow.

In fact, wherever you see Pitso, this hard-nosed business driver, you’d often see him with one or more of his grandchildren. Hand-in-hand or on his lap. They make a beeline to him, and he to them. Should you ask him about it, the answer is simple.

“Farming is a family business. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, does it?”