
Livestock Wealth Development for a Prosperous South Africa is a vital strategy for the country's economic growth. It's estimated that the livestock industry contributes around 3% to South Africa's GDP.
The livestock sector has the potential to create employment opportunities, particularly in rural areas where poverty is prevalent. According to the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the livestock industry supports over 1.4 million jobs.
Investing in livestock wealth development can also contribute to food security, as it allows for the production of meat, dairy products, and other livestock-derived goods. In South Africa, the demand for meat is increasing, with the country's population projected to grow to 63 million by 2030.
Livestock wealth development can also help to reduce poverty and inequality by providing income-generating opportunities for small-scale farmers. In fact, a study by the University of Pretoria found that small-scale farmers who invested in livestock production saw a significant increase in their income.
Intriguing read: Types of Livestock Insurance
Livestock Wealth
Livestock Wealth is a South African-based crowdfunding company that allows investors to purchase livestock and farmland as a form of investment. Founded in 2015 by Ntuthuko Shezi, the company connects investors with farmers who require funding by using cattle as a form of investment.
Livestock Wealth has expanded its investment offerings to include farmland, allowing investors to own a portion of land on a farm. This approach provides affordable access to farm ownership, making it possible for anyone to invest in farming without having to purchase the entire farm.
The company currently has 58 partner farmers across South Africa, and all cows are hormone-free and grass-fed. Livestock Wealth has also partnered with Mineworkers Investment Company's (MIO) Khulisani Ventures, which invested R10 million in the company.
Investors can access the investment platform through a mobile app utilizing 5G and AI technology developed in conjunction with Chinese mobile phone company Huawei. The app allows investors to purchase livestock and farmland, as well as other assets such as connected garden systems and macadamia nut trees.
Livestock Wealth's investment options include:
- Free-range ox
- Pregnant cow
- Connected garden
- Macadamia-nut tree
These investments offer a share of the profit when the asset is sold, providing a potential return on investment for investors.
Investment Opportunities
Livestock Wealth offers a unique investment opportunity for those looking to diversify their portfolio. The platform allows investors to own a portion of land on a farm, providing a chance to buy into a professionally-managed farming operation.
Each portion is sold for R50 000 and is projected to earn an annual return of 4% per annum, or R2 000 in value. The size of each land portion varies, but an average of 200 portions can be bought for a R10 million farm, making each portion about two hectares in size.
Farm land can double in value every 15 years, but with careful management, this can happen sooner. High-value crops like macadamia trees can significantly increase the value of the land over time.
The company's asset value is now in excess of R120 million, and it has 58 partner farmers across South Africa. Investors can choose from four different investment options: a free-range ox, a pregnant cow, a connected garden, or a macadamia-nut tree.
More than 2,800 investors have joined Livestock Wealth, and over $4 million has been invested. The platform allows investors to receive a share of the profit when the cows or crops are sold.
Worth a look: Private Wealth Investment
Reducing Poverty in South Africa
Reducing poverty in South Africa is a complex issue, but Livestock Wealth is making a significant impact. South Africa's rural populations have a long history of exclusion from the economy, struggling to reduce poverty for decades.
The firm provides cash investments for farmers, creating a market where they can reliably trade. This innovation is helping to alleviate poverty and can inspire others to do the same.
By offering a reliable trade market, Livestock Wealth is empowering farmers to take control of their economic futures. This is a crucial step towards reducing poverty in South Africa.
A fresh viewpoint: Access Bank South Africa
Regulatory Issues
Livestock Wealth has allegedly offered investments without the required licence.
The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has warned people against doing business with Livestock Wealth Financial Services (Livestock FS) and Livestock Wealth due to potentially unlawful offering of financial investments.
Livestock Wealth is not authorised to conduct financial services of any description, despite its website using the FSP licence of Livestock FS.
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Livestock FS is a licensed FSP (51237), but only licensed to offer Category I financial products and services related to insurance products and pension benefits.
The FSCA clarified that for a person to offer financial services in South Africa, they must be licensed to do so by the FSCA and have acquired the correct category of licence.
CEO Ntuthuko Shezi is listed on the FSCA’s website as Livestock FS’s key individual, with a Cat I licence, but only listed under insurance and pension fund benefits.
Due diligence was conducted on Livestock Wealth in 2019, but it was not determined that they required a financial service provider licence at that time.
They did require a credit provider licence, which they had, and sufficient insurance to cover the services they were offering per regulatory requirements.
Here's an interesting read: Depreciate Livestock
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