By Margaret Kamba 

One's upbringing can greatly influence what they become in life. It is therefore imperative that as we groom our children, we teach them in the right as whatever decisions they make in life stem from this. Many Proverbs in our local culture talk about these things such as the Ndebele proverb, isigogo sigoqwa sisemanzi. How possible would it be to teach a grown man new ways?

This is the story of Cde Alfred Guzha who was born in January 1972 in Marondera and brought up there. He went to Mahusekwa High School, and after completing his high school, he went to the City of Harare Vocational Training Center for Business Management and Entrepreneurial Course for two years.

He narrates how his upbringing has influenced his current trade.

 "I was born in a farming family, and my parents were master farmers. My mother was a livestock enthusiast. At every opportunity, she would go for any farming course, making her well known for that by the Agritex officers. My father was also another livestock lover," Cde Guzha said. 

"With this background, I ventured into farming in 2000 at the onset of Land Reform Programme and chose livestock because the farm is mostly suitable for livestock and given the experience I had from my upbringing."

Despite being experienced in this field, Cde Guzha says one has to be prepared for the field's ups and downs.

"Livestock has its challenges like theft and diseases. For you to overcome those challenges, you have to be knowledgeable of those risks and be a hands-on individual. You have to know the diseases that affect your stock and take preventive and curative measures promptly," he said.

"Other challenges that affect livestock farming is the burning of pastures through veld fires. This is why you have to put in place contingency measures like fireguards along the farm boundaries. 

"The best way to overcome all those challenges is to be resident on the farm and be in touch with your animals every day."

He added that, "Livestock insurance is another remedy to overcome some unforseen challenges like lightning, droughts, and diseases." 

He ends his narrative by sharing some wise words.

"Advice that one can impart to someone who wants to go into livestock farming is that one should know the ins and outs of livestock farming before committing themselves. Farming is a journey. Farming is a process, not an event."