The sun is only just rising as Ahkona Qaba steps out of his house and surveys the fields, dotted with sheep that make up his farm. Already his son, Sibabalo, is driving the cattle to pasture. There is a long day ahead, and a lot of work, but Ahkona is a happy man.

Ahkona is a fit, wiry, 72 year-old. Just over a year ago he took possession of his own farm. For the previous fifty years he worked as a labourer on the very land he now owns.

His new farm has 50 cattle and 120 sheep. He also keeps pigs, chickens and geese and grows mealies (maize), peas, spinach, pumpkin and cabbage. His farm provides him with everything his large extended family of four adult children and ten grandchildren need.