4 wife works for the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal as an admin clerk. “By the time I first meet Sydney he had already acquired his property and his focus was on trying to develop his own traditional family land which he had inherited. He initially planted wattle seed from NTE and struggled to get them away. Our paths crossed again some years later when these trees came to maturity, and we worked together to market the pulpwood and shared ideas about rolling out project wattle regen on his property” explains Cliff Walton – Greytown District Manager. Sydney’s property is where project wattle regeneration began in the surrounding Umvoti Tribal Areas, and he has helped pave the way for combined NCT and NTE wattle regen project in the Umvoti Tribal Areas. His well grown plantations consist of 3ha of black wattle which ranges from six months to five years. Sydney shared some of the many challenges he faces daily. Goats, cattle, and duiker breaking through his fences and seedlings being removed shortly after planting. Fire also is a constant threat and part of his management plan is making sure that he has good firebreaks during the winter months. He deals with challenges faced proactively and responds tactfully. He allows neighbours to collect firewood on his property in a controlled manner, this way he gains allies rather than enemies. Sydney in the later part of his life has not lost any energy or enthusiasm and has been participating in a program under the department of welfare to stay active and a few years ago won the trophy for speed walking 1000m at an event in Port Shepstone. He continues to be involved when time permits. He has a small side line business from his old store selling gas refilling to his neighbours. One of his more recent lifetime achievements is that he has been ordained a professor of Theology by the Rock Bible College and lectures at a bible college in the area twice a month. Sharing his take on the journey of life in his own words “Consider yourself as a student of life… always take advice from people who know more than oneself”. Sydney Hlanguza and Terry Wolhuter were awarded the prestigious Tree Farmer of the Year awards in the Small Grower and Commercial Grower categories respectively. The award is in recognition of exceptional si lvicultural practice, environmental management , and augmentat ion of operations. Small-scale Tree-Farmer-of-the-Year 2023 Sydney Qedumona Hlanguza Sydney became a member of NCT in his private capacity in March 2010. A year later, he transferred his membership into Ngenzokuhle T r a d i n g c c a n d , f i n a l l y Ngenzokuhle 55 Trading Pty Ltd in June 2022. Sydney started his working career as a teacher having graduated from Amanzimtoti Education and Training College and spent ten years teaching. He then joined Old Mutual’s sales division for ten years. At this point he returned to live permanently at his current residence in Ntembisweni Tribal Area having managed to buy the property adjacent to his family land. The property he managed to purchase came with an established business called Paradise Trading store which he took over and ran until competition changed his mind, he decided to close and concentrate on developing his family property. Sydney was proud to share that he is the fifth generation of the Hlanguza family, his late Great Grandfather originally coming from Tugela Ferry and passed away 98 years old. His grandfather was born on the family property in Ntembisweni in 1903. Sydney is one of six children and is the second eldest with his eldest brother Sipho Hlanguza residing on their family property as by tradition. All their properties adjoin, and Sydney has established his entirely to wattle and he also manages his other two brother’s sections as they reside in Greytown and Newcastle. Sydney is a proud father of seven children. His first-born children are all in successful careers and marriages while he is still responsible for his last two who are both training to be teachers. Sydney’s Vikesh from PMB Power Products awarding Sydney a chainsaw.
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