Noah Nyawo, 24, and his seven young friends did not think they would hit the sweet spot so soon after receiving the keys to a R24-million sugarcane farm in KwaZulu-Natal in February last year.

At the time, the government told them to roll up their sleeves and turn the 250ha farm, Jengro Estates in KwaMbonambi in northern KwaZulu-Natal, into one of the country's most successful land reform projects.

And they have since delivered. The young farmers have generated R1.2-million from their first harvest alone.

They are leasing the farm for R167000 a year from the Department of Rural Development and live in the four-bedroom home on the estate.

They employ 35 permanent and 28 temporary staff, and their equipment includes four tractors, three trailers, a grader and a plough.

And Nyawo and his partners - Anele Mthethwa, 20, Nom-thandazo Nene, 21, Nothando Mathe, 21, Siboniso Nhleko, 26, Thembi Buthelezi, 31, Nikiwe Nyawo, 32, and Sipho Magagula, 35 - say that all they had to offer was determination.

Said Nyawo: "We had no experience whatsoever in agriculture, let alone running a successful sugarcane farm."

In March last year, the department warned that food security and economic growth were being undermined by the collapse of farms the government had bought for restitution or redistribution to victims of apartheid.

Minister Gugile Nkwinti said that more than 90% of the 5.9 million hectares of farmland, which was once active and generated revenue for the state, lay barren. "We cannot afford to go on like that," he said.

But, this week, the department described the group's efforts as a "true success story".

When the department bought Jengro Estates from its previous owner, Ron Jenkinson, his son, Shaun, stayed on as the farm manager.

Nyawo said one of the secrets of their success was working closely with Shaun, who had been "mentoring" the group.

Shaun, who visits the farm daily, said the new owners were also receiving assistance from Tongaat Hulett. "But things are running smoothly, and their determination has been amazing," he said.

Tongaat Hulett has supplied the young farmers with educational material on sugarcane farming and financial courses.

The group recently harvested 17000 tons of sugar, about 3000 tons more than in the previous year.

Nyawo said when they acquired Jengro Estates, one of their first duties was to understand the farm's finances, and they gave themselves moderate salaries. Each of the partners assumed a managerial position.

Nyawo said they had managed to repay a R700000 start-up loan from Tongaat Hulett.

They have also budgeted about R70000 to pay for their tuition, which includes farming and financial management.

Magagula, who works as the farm's operations manager, said they had all set targets for themselves and the farm. "We are succeeding because we know what we want to achieve in the end," he said.

Mathe, the monitoring and education officer, said: " If challenges arise and tensions run high, we try to keep our cool and stick together in pursuit of our dream to make this farm a successful project."

SA Canegrowers' Association spokesman Jayne Ferguson said the young farmers were outstanding because of their willingness to learn.

"While we can provide economic and technical advice, it is ultimately these young farmers who make the business decisions," she said.