Our Team
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 12 dogs, 6 cats, 5 horses, 2 cows, 3 donkeys, 1 goat, 1 rabbit, 2 tortoises, many chickens and all of the wildlife that passes through. We named our business Farm Girls because, when we first moved here, our townie friends used to say that they were on their way to visiting the farm girls!
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 – Farm Girls Team Leader – July 2019
My role includes arranging the transport duties, various reporting as well as some administration. I have recently become involved in our sister company, Tri-Health, selling cleaning products specifically with animals in mind! I have received my internationally accredited diploma in Advanced Canine Behaviour from the British College of Canine Studies this year.
Autumn – Cattery Team Leader – September 2021
I have a real soft spot for all animals and have my own menagerie at home! I have experience in the husbandry of many different species and I have a real soft spot for cats. I am also the manager of our tiny dog offering at Tiny Town. Akim and I work hand in hand.
Albert Sithole – Kennel Manager – 2011
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!
I live on the farm. My cultural home is near Vilanculos, with my wife and our five children. We also look after my sister’s children.
Lucette de Wit – Animal Handler and Team Support – 2023
Hi there! My role on the farm includes all things admin related and animal care. I am currently working towards my Canine Behaviour diploma. I love all animals no matter the shape, size or species. There is always something new to learn from each and every animal that sets foot on this farm.
JC – Team Assistant and Driver – 2021
JC is one of our very reliable drivers. He is very adaptable and takes great care on the road when transporting the precious animal cargo.
Support Staff
Statistically we are more Farm Boys than Farm Girls, 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.
