Robyn Eshelby-Theart – Makhulu Boss
My name is Robyn and I am the founder and managing director of Farm Girls. My wife, Retha, and I have a gorgeous animal-mad daughter, too.
My experience with dogs started as a small child – always more interested in dogs than in people, keenly observing and getting to feel what dogs mean when they exhibit certain behaviours. It’s been an ongoing quest from all those years ago and it became my full time vocation in 2011 when I kicked corporate to the curb and ran out our front door to play with dogs full time.
We share our home here on the farm with 15 dogs, 17 cats, 5 horses, 6 cows, 3 pigs, 2 goats, a sheep, many chickens and all of the wildlife that passes through.
I hold an internationally accredited diploma in Advanced Canine Behaviour from the British College of Canine Studies as well as various certificates from the Dunbar Academy, Victoria Stilwell Academy, Ethology Institute Cambridge and more, and I am constantly striving to learn and improve.
I like to think that Farm Girls will be our family business, now and always!
Akim Vundla – Client Liaison & Operations
I’m a young South African guy and I’ve worked at Farm Girls since July 2019.
My role includes arranging and performing the transport duties, various reporting as well as other administration gigs. While I didn’t start at Farm Girls with much knowledge of dogs I’m a quick upstart and I love being around the animals all day!
Albert Sithole – Kennel Manager
My name is Albert. I’m a naturalised South African, having come from Mozambique as a young man in 1997. I spoke no english back then but now I do, and I love to talk!
I’ve worked for Robyn since before the days of Farm Girls, and before that for a friend of hers. I love animals and Robyn says I am amazing in my natural compassion, observational skills and my ability to learn new things. I enjoy caring for the dogs and I can tell you everything about every dog, and about every other animal on this farm!
In my downtime I enjoy watching TV and listening to music. I especially enjoy Michael Buble and Adele. On my off days I normally go visit my brothers who all live close by.
I live on the farm. My traditional home is near Vilanculos, with my wife and our five children. We also look after my sister’s children.
Support Staff
In various supporting roles we have Silva (Livestock Manager); Rosie (House Keeper); Nombulelo (House Keeper); Noah (Livestock Assistant) and occasional part-time staff.
Statistically we are Farm Girls and Farm Boys on an equal level, but we choose our staff based on their aura and innate compassion with animals – it doesn’t matter who or what you are, if you’ve got the animal gift and you’re a good person, then you’re one of us.