Matjhetjhe Joel Seaja
Nominee's Province:
Gauteng
Age:
31
Project Name/Description:
Director – P and J Group of Companies | Chairperson – YARD
Matjhetjhe Joel Seaja is fast becoming a force in South Africa’s agricultural transformation. As Director of P and J Group of Companies and Chairperson of Youth in Agriculture and Rural Development (YARD), he’s not just growing crops—he’s cultivating the next generation of farmers. His passion for agriculture began in Grade 3, volunteering alongside his mother at an orphanage farm. What felt like tough, unpaid labour at the time later rooted itself in purpose. “There is no culture like agriculture,” his mother would say—a mantra that became Seaja’s mission. Today, P and J Group operates on leased land at the Rand West Agri Park near Bekkersdal, producing crops like tomatoes, green beans, cabbages, spinach, and kale across 10 tunnels, while managing 43 beehives. Despite challenges—especially not having land rights for years, which barred him from accessing grants—Seaja persisted. In 2024, he secured a five-year lease, unlocking new opportunities for growth. Beyond the fields, Seaja leads YARD under GDARDE, bridging the gap between youth and government agricultural resources. He coordinates free training sessions through entities like DALRRD and NYDA, helps youth with funding applications, and has proudly mentored winners of the Gauteng Agricultural Awards. His work has gained media attention, including features in Vukuzenzele, Leihlo la Sechaba, and GDARDE publications. For Seaja, agriculture isn’t just a livelihood—it’s a legacy. His vision? To own a fully-fledged farm and inspire resilience, innovation, and patience in young farmers across South Africa. “Farming is the only mine that never runs dry,” he says. And for Matjhetjhe Joel Seaja, it’s a mine worth building—one youth farmer at a time.
