Business

As we celebrate Women’s Month, Octavia Avesca Spandiel spoke to Dr Hlamalani Ngwenya about her remarkable journey from a home economics teacher to a globally recognised leader in agricultural extension, and the broader agri-food systems. Through resilience, purpose, and a deep belief in people, Ngwenya continues to open doors for women in agriculture.

Siphiwe Sithole is on a mission to establish a culture of food abundance. She spoke to Sabrina Dean about her business, African Marmalade, and how it harnesses the potential of indigenous products grown by smallholder farmers.

Living Hope, a faith-based non-profit organisation in the Western Cape, offers fully funded experiential training in intensive fresh produce production to young, aspiring farmers. Nan Smith visited the organisation to find out more.

As the 2025 Agri Western Cape Santam Young Farmer of the Year, Francois Rossouw Jnr is part of a new generation of producers blending tradition with forward-thinking strategies in sustainability, technology, and people-centred leadership.

The Red Meat Producers’ Organisation works on behalf of red meat producers to ultimately improve their sustainability.

Organic and biodynamic farming practices have been used at Reyneke Wines since the early 1990s. Johan Reyneke, owner of the estate, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about his production philosophy.

Noluthando Khumalo grew up in Impendle within the uMgungundlovu District in KwaZulu-Natal at the foot of the Drakensberg. The settlement is in the catchment areas of the Mkhomazi River in the south and the Mngeni River in the north-east. The area is extremely diverse in its topography, climate and soil, and has a rich and complex natural environment.

“Farming chose me,” says Yolanda Mbali Maphalala. Maphalala grew up in the rural community of Zwelisha in KwaZulu-Natal where agriculture is seen as a way of life.

Thabiso Sithole’s vision of building a fully integrated agricultural business received an injection after he was named as one of the finalists in the Metropolitan Collective Shapers Programme.

Sphanaso Ngubane is the founder of Comet Emporia Agri-Farming, an enterprise based in the rural area of Msinga in the Umzinyathi district of KwaZulu-Natal, near Greytown. She is dedicated to poultry production.

A young Brangus stud breeder in the Free State is on a mission to open doors for other young farmers. Danielle de Kock shares her story with Farmer’s Weekly, including her work as a farmer, and the challenges and opportunities faced by young farmers.

In 2023, Nduduzo Mtshali registered Feather Field Broiler Enterprise, a mixed farming business in Nquthu, KwaZulu-Natal. He spoke to Magda du Toit about the challenges of starting out with limited resources, his marketing strategy, and how the Metropolitan Collective Shapers programme helped him take his operation to the next level.

Growing up in Hammersdale in KwaZulu-Natal in a family that produced vegetables in their own garden played a defining role in Sindiswa Ndlovu’s decision to embark on a career in gardening and landscaping eight years ago.

Linda Mthalane began her farming journey five years ago when she purchased her first cattle. She is one of the few producers breeding Simbra and Brahman cattle in the area where she farms, and she is also a city woman stepping into male-dominated space. Originally from Amanzimtoti near Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, Mthalane relocated to Dundee after a 10-year career in the corporate hospitality industry.

As a young agripreneur, Siphindile Hlengwa is making waves in her area, but also in the broader agriculture sector. Hlengwa is the founder and director of Ndlovukazi Agriculture Multipurpose (Ndlovukazi) in the heart of Imfume in KwaZulu-Natal.

Bhekumndeni Khumalo Zulu is a stock farmer with a dream. He not only wishes to be successful himself, but strongly feels that there should be a greater focus on empowering small-scale farmers in Kwa-Zulu Natal. That was one of the reasons he entered the Metropolitan Collective Shapers programme.

A high-maintenance crop, if ever there was one, orchids demand attention to detail. With over 35 years of experience in orchid production, LVG Plants combines its expertise with new advancements in greener technologies, ensuring its flowers are beautiful allies for people and planet.

In an era where small to medium-sized farms are struggling to stay afloat, Charlesford Farm near Knysna is bucking the trend with a combination of traditional agriculture, value adding, and agritourism. Owner Cathy Shearer and farm manager Cobus Erasmus spoke to Glenneis Kriel about their approach.

Farming has been a lifelong ambition for 34-year-old Siphe Singasezulu Joyi from Baziya village near Mthatha in the Eastern Cape. He spoke to Sabrina Dean about the unique community model that has given him and his brother access to land to grow their business Jay Jay Farming into a commercial operation.

Donkey milk has been dubbed ‘liquid gold’ due to its health benefits and high market value. But low production, easily interrupted when donkeys are stressed, makes donkey dairying challenging. Jesse Christelis, owner of The Donkey Dairy, spoke to Lindi Botha about running South Africa’s first such dairy.