Larry Snyders’s story begins with an experience sickeningly familiar to many South Africans: retrenchment. In 2016, he was one of 2 500 individuals who lost their jobs at Kumba Iron Ore.
“This forced me to relook at my career. I decided to focus full time on my sideline business, my small White Dorper stud. I haven’t regretted the decision for a single moment.”
It’s not hard to understand why. Earlier this year, Snyders was crowned the Breeder of Champions at the biennial Dorper World Championship Show, which took place in May. His stud produced the Grand Champion Ewe and the Reserve Grand Champion, amongst others.
This is no mean feat, considering that 1 200 animals from 39 studs from across the country took part in the competition.