--- title: "Fire and grain: Gleaning corn and burning veld outside Bothaville" description: "In Bothaville, Free State, Daily Maverick photographer Felix Dlangamandla captures farm workers gleaning mielies to survive, others setting controlled veld fires to renew the land for the next season." type: "NewsArticle" publisher: "Daily Maverick" site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za" section: "PHOTO ESSAY" canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-06-13-felix-mielies/" published: "2025-06-13T16:27:03" updated: "2025-06-19T10:44:25" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 269 --- # Fire and grain: Gleaning corn and burning veld outside Bothaville > In Bothaville, Free State, Daily Maverick photographer Felix Dlangamandla captures farm workers gleaning mielies to survive, others setting controlled veld fires to renew the land for the next season. Published 13 June 2025, 18:27 SAST ยท Updated 19 June 2025, 12:44 SAST ## Key points - In a heartwarming display of grit and camaraderie, farm workers brave the chill to scavenge leftover mielies, proving that even in the toughest conditions, laughter and teamwork can turn a tough harvest into a bountiful bonding experience. - Farm workers are diligently collecting leftover mielies post-harvest, showcasing determination in challenging conditions. - Teamwork is essential, with groups working together to efficiently dry harvested fields. - Amidst the cold, workers find moments of levity, sharing jokes to lighten the mood. - Staying hydrated is crucial as they navigate the dry environment while completing their tasks. ## Content Following the main harvest, outside of Bothaville in the Free State, farm workers glean leftover mielies (corn) from the fields, filling up to 20 bags a day. They state this work provides "enough to put food on the table," with the collected corn often destined for animal feed. In nearby fields, others are engaged in setting controlled veld fires, a method used to clear the land and prepare it for the next planting season. ![Determined to fill up bags with leftover mielies. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/pc251mLkxm_tiu1z5PPgzkPctPc=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/067A8851-1.jpg) *Determined to fill up bags with leftover mielies on 12 June 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Waiting for the supervisor to give guidance. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/JpmjR7tsdD72qTSlvZmYUlHpGNM=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/067A8861.jpg) *Waiting for the supervisor to give guidance on 12 June 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Working in groups helps dry harvested fields. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/DiU3_mmYYOBiSIfbpW8KoTlFN0Q=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/067A8894.jpg) *Working in groups helps dry harvested fields on 12 June 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Its cold but determined to see the work done. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/T0aszVboN5FxnXeWbX5E-KfER3s=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/067A8887.jpg) *It's cold but farmworkers are determined to see the work done, on 12 June 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![They find time to share jokes in between. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/ldZSxI_eBvFLeLqFExxMMgrCd4g=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/067A8913.jpg) *They find time to share jokes, on 12 June 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Water comes handy in these dry conditions. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/HQoo0Wrtlf3GH_AHPiMK8FIwzME=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/067A8926.jpg) *Water comes handy in these dry conditions on 12 June 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Op-ed-Peacock et al-women-farmers](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/pX02WnSPb8Qux9GmFOxpNb7lz4s=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/067A8866.jpg) *Filling up bags with mielies, on 12 June 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Taking a break is important. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/lCwg0UUg2ts1rH6RFpLqgo4qQPw=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/067A8855.jpg) *Taking a break is important, on 12 June 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Determined to fill up bags with leftover mielies. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/NYJG_PF1cf0GOMYTUV_Ddm7c3U4=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/067A8845.jpg) *Determined to fill up bags with leftover mielies, on 12 June 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Monitoring veld fires near Bothaville in the Free State on 12 June 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/ceEmnnAxEn9Z3AcaVRo4zssYvVo=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/067A8955-1.jpg) *Monitoring veld fires near Bothaville in the Free State on 12 June 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Farm workers setting up controlled veld fires olong the R38 near Bothaville in the Free State on 12 June 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/fHgvZFshEXx089uLUj3XGdVJ_1c=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/067A8968-1.jpg) *Farm workers setting up controlled veld fires olong the R38 near Bothaville in the Free State on 12 June 2025. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Veld fires serves for several agricultural and ecological purposes. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/ZzQod40KbLAvNdtbXHR4FlTgKlI=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/067A9033-1.jpg) *Veld fires serves for several agricultural and ecological purposes. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)* ![Veld fires serves for several agricultural and ecological purposes. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/lt-rxWkGVIgNMTASmLiCrKIVMhI=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/067A9026-1.jpg) *Veld fires serves for several agricultural and ecological purposes. (Photo: Felix Dlangamandla). DM*