Top award for South African hides producer
Tharina Terblanche, vice president of SHALC, the South African skins, hides and leather council, has been named as one the three winners of the title of Free State Top Female Farmers for 2002.
She started farming on 5,000ha of land in 1987, of which 4,000ha are used for grazing. Years ago, when weaner prices were low, she decided to process the animals through her own abattoir and this has developed into an enormous business - a result of her commitment to value-adding. An additional enterprise she developed was the tanning of the hides from the abattoir. As a result, she has her own tannery in Wolwehoek where she produces approximately 24,000 wet blue hides. She exports to
She has also started a farm school where children from neighbouring farms as well as her employees’ children are educated by full time teachers. Awards that she has won include the South African Merit Award for Export Excellence and the Premier’s Award for Export Excellence. She is also involved as alternate director on the South African Meat Industry’s SAMIC board, where she represents SHALC, one of the founder associates of SAMIC.
