A helping hand all the way from South Africa

Philip DeBruin, originally from Pretoria, South Africa came to work for Stanley Farms because he enjoys farming and wants to get the experience. Although he is enjoying his time here one of the main differences that’s been hard to get used to is the difference in language. Farming isn’t the only thing he’s done since he got here, earlier when he got here, he took a trip down to Minneapolis for the weekend. Although coming to America may have its perks, it also has disadvantages, such as being away from family. Communicating is an issue since most phone plans don’t cover worldwide calling, so Philip uses WhatsApp, a free texting app. Philip has been in the states before (also working on a farm) and says he isn’t looking forward to the snow and cold weather! (Then again, who is?)

Dirk Louw, who is also from Pretoria, South Africa, has never worked in the states before. Although back home, he did farm, but it wasn’t wheat; Dirk was a cattle farmer. He wanted to come to America to see what is done here and he also wanted to travel. With the distance, Dirk uses Skype and the telephone to keep in contact his family back home. Although there are some differences between South Africa and Minnesota, such as the climate, some of the methods are different, too, he noted. One of the fun things Dirk has done since arriving was going to the Moondance Country Music Festival. Looking forward, he isn’t anticipating the arrival of snow and would prefer warm weather, he mentioned! 

Attie Heystek decided to come and work for Stanley farms for the experience and to see America. Before he came to America, he was a sugar cane farmer and was also in the steel manufacturing business. He is originally from Pongola, which is a town next to Swaziland. Attie says he isn’t quite used to the terrain since there are a lot of mountains where he lives and hardly any hills up here! He mostly uses Skype to communicate with his family when he can or when he’s not working. Although Attie isn’t looking forward to experiencing snow, he has been enjoying his summer so far. One of the most fun things he’s done since coming to Minnesota was go Walleye fishing at Lake of the Woods with Wesley Sandsmark! Attie has never worked in the states before and would possibly come back next year, he said. 

John Rautenbach is the only one of the four other Stanley Farm employees who is looking forward to the snow and cold temperatures to come! The most different thing from South Africa to Minnesota is the translation of certain words; some words are used in a different context than back in South Africa. He decided to come to work in the United States to get a good experience and to experience America. When he was back home his main profession was construction but he also worked in the mines for a little bit. He has never came to the United States before so this is pretty new to him. John comes all the way from Pongola, the same town as Attie. 

Pieta Lourens is the only employee who has been here two years in a row now. He decided to come back because of the people and said it is possible he might come back for a third year! He initially wanted to come here for the experience and to try something different. Some of the main differences between South Africa and Minnesota, in his opinion, are the safety and the weather. At home he was a worker on a sugar cane farm so obviously this isn’t his first farming experience! Pieta is also from Pongola on the North Coast. With his experience of snow last year, he definitely isn’t looking forward to it this year!

The five Stanley Farm employees arrived to Grygla in early April and will be leaving in December, shortly before Christmas. If you see them around town, say hi and wish them all good luck with their new jobs.