Juanita’s Big In Africa – And Big In Japan!

A lifetime equestrian and part owner of the ill-fated champion filly Basadi Faith, Juanita van der Merwe’s passion has revolved around the horse and she has, like many of us, endured the twists and turns in the road of life.

Today she is living her dream.

As CEO of recruitment agency Basadi Ke Bokamoso, she has placed over 75 Work Riders in the vibrant Japan Skills Development programme, and is changing lives!

South Africa’s leading international sportsbook operator, Hollywoodbets sponsor jackets and beanies for the South African Work Riders that undertake an incredible lifechanging journey to the ‘Land Of The Rising Sun’ where a population of over 125 million people enjoy horseracing which has been popular in its current form for some 150 years, and is the most popular betting sport today in the East Asian island country.

Interestingly, horseracing has a much older tradition in Japan and its origins date back as a religious ceremony performed for the Imperial Court – that was back in the eighth century, when races between the samurai of the age were held annually in May, at the Kamigamo Shrine in Kyoto.

“I am the luckiest most fulfilled businesswoman in South Africa. I get to uplift so many families, deal with the most amazing horsemen in Africa, and have true professionals on the other side of the world, who value the capabilities and equine skills of our placements,” the enthusiastic Kyalami-based Juanita van der Merwe tells the Sporting Post as she explains her role in placing Work Riders from South Africa and Zimbabwe in the racing passionate Japan.

“Absolute professionalism from pillar to post is the only way to describe the process. The agent in Japan is a lovely gentleman we know as Mr Sam, and our biggest clients over there are the Yoshizawa Stable, Okada Stud and Grand Stud. It’s an adventure of lifechanging proportions for many of the men who take the leap of faith. A large proportion of the Zimbabweans and South Africans have never left their homeland. In fact, 98% of the Work Riders have never been to an airport, and the long flight is their first experience on an aeroplane. It’s now also become a joke amongst the guys on our whatsapp groups that the newbies must bring some pap along, as the diet in Japan is quite different to ours!” laughs Juanita as her passion and love for what she does shines brightly.

The contracts are for a year and the majority are being renewed.

“We started in 2022 and some guys are already at the end of their second year in Japan. The opportunity to earn and uplift their families is almost unlimited. They are building houses, buying cars and starting businesses back here. It’s good for all, and for our economy, with the influx of money back into SA and Zimbabawe. I can show you some of the whatsapps I get being thanked for helping them change their lives. It is unbelievable, it truly is. And it’s ultimately thanks to the foundation coaching they receive here, the willingness of the Japanese government and their racing and breeding folk to utilize the talent and potential. And  to great corporates like Hollywoodbets who contribute to the success of this amazing initiative,” adds Juanita as she tells us that she believes in fate and how the universe unfolds.

A tragic ending to a lifetime dream of racing a champion brought her to the point where she established the Work Riders initiative.

“I have always been a horsey girl and am the only equestrian in my family. Growing up in a small town, the opportunities weren’t there and bareback riding on the farm was all I knew. I actually only started competitive riding and showjumping at the age of 35. I am 46 now. They used to refer to me as the diamond in the rough! Although it’s only recreational I have two amazing warmbloods and we just love the sport. It’s definitely not a hobby but a lifestyle,” she explains as she tells that she was once blessed to be a part owner of the Master Of My Fate filly, Basadi Faith, who was trained by Paul Matchett.

The Favour Stud-bred Basadi Faith won her first four on the trot under Devin Habib, culminating in the Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery. She then travelled to Hollywoodbets Scottsville for the 2019 Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship where she started at 26-10. She sadly bled in the race.

Rested seven months, she won her second start on her return in facile fashion.

But then tragedy struck.

Basadi Faith suffered a massive heart attack in the Gr2 Senor Santa Stakes at Turffontein on 14 March 2020.

“She was my first racehorse and needless to say no one else could ever fill those hooves. She was an immaculate freak of nature and won every race by at least 2 – 3 lengths. She was nominated in 2020 as SA’s fastest filly. I was at Turffontein that day. I dashed down to the track. The curtains were around her. I was so confused. I just cried forever. After her very sad passing, someone said in the Sporting Post comments – ‘the last unicorn gone’. She also played a key role in giving jockey Devin Habib a lift-up at a time in his life that he really needed it. She was so special to so many people. Then there was Naledi Faith, who ran in the same colours as Basadi Faith. But we quickly realised that a career in Polocrosse was much better for her. Champions only cross most of our paths once in a lifetime!”

Juanita says she has moved away from racing horses. She points out that it actually costs more to keep a showjumper, as there is no potential stakes income, and the costs are ‘quite prohibitive’.

“I’m not sure that all racehorse owners really understand the patience and nurturing that goes into getting a horse to be loved, developed and to achieve their optimum. If your horse needs a break, give it a break. My warmblood is 19 and he will be with me until the day he goes to horsey heaven. So while I don’t race horses anymore, my absolute love for these wonderful creatures and passion to improve lives has synergised so beautifully with this Work Riders project. And like they say, if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life!”

Asked about her younger years, Juanita laughs again as she tells us how she was an ‘influencer’ ahead of her time.

“Long before social media, I used to observe how movie stars and famous people were followed – how their lifestyles became aspirational. So I studied Drama at Pretoria Technikon. I loved the stage. But I am probably only now achieving my dreams on the stage of life.”

What was her biggest role?

“Now you are going back in history. I played a part in ‘Sewende Laan’. I enjoyed it. Don’t advertise that!” she laughs.

She then moves on to explain that the name of her company means ‘women are future’.

“The name is not so much that we are only focusing on the empowerment of women, but more so in the nature of a woman within the workplace. That is kind, gentle and caring in nature with more attention to detail – and hence the slogan – ‘Simply managing human nature by nature’. I started this company in 2017 at a stage where I was rebuilding my own life, and was looking for a purpose to make a difference in the world. My biggest passion and ambition is to alleviate poverty and suffering. The question that I asked myself was –  what it is that I can do on a daily basis to achieve this? That led to helping people to get jobs and create opportunities. And so our mission statement first saw the light of day. Ultimately our aim is to alleviate global poverty and unhappiness within individuals -and to change the world one placement at a time. We have to reach for the stars and dream big to make the small differences!”

And her next challenge?

“Taking Work Riders out of our racing ecosystem, means that they need to be replaced. I am keen to facilitate their coaching – at a training centre that needs them and can utilize them. I am looking at a few possibilities. The career prospects of a Work Rider have already been enhanced by the opportunities created within South Africa. Japan offers a lifechanger. We live in exciting times. Thank you again to Hollywoodbets and all the horseracing stakeholders who have assisted and encouraged these wonderful hardworking horsemen to improve their lives,” concludes Juanita.