Sinoxolo Sabelo has had to face adversity in both her personal life and farming business. But with every challenge sown, she harvests solutions, and in the shadow of grief, Sabelo’s determination to succeed always shines brighter.
She grows cabbage and spinach on her two-hectare farm nestled in Umbumbulu, KwaZulu-Natal. Her business is called Andisumbuso Pty Ltd and she sells to the informal market.
Jumping through fire
When Sabelo began her business in 2020 she never thought she would face so many challenges. She explains that Durban South is prone to natural disasters, such as heavy rains and storms.
“With the experience gained from my farming journey, I decided to switch to a raised bed planting system. This way, even if it rains heavily, my crops are less likely to be affected by floods,” Sabelo says.
“Raised beds are only used in the upper part of the garden. The raised beds assist in channelling water during those periods. In the lower parts, contours are used.”
Also, pests have become uninvited guests on her farm, undermining her efforts to thrive. However, for this, Sabelo has a plan.
“I use pesticides like Kemprin, and Cypermethrin, to keep pests away and keep my crops healthy. I also use fertilisers to make sure that I produce quality crops.”
Finding the right fit
The idea of becoming a farmer has always intrigued Sabelo, but she was always unsure if it would be the best fit for her.
“Even though I wasn’t sure what I would turn out to be, I always felt I would work in farming, either in the field or in an office,” she shares.
Today, Sabelo holds a degree in agricultural and horticultural studies. She also has a number of agriculture-related diplomas and a B-tech in horticulture which she obtained from Durban University of Technology (DUT).
The fear of failure has always weighed heavy on Sabelo, pushing her to work tirelessly to never let her loved ones down.
After the loss of her mother, she moved to live with her grandmother, Sibongile, who also later died.
“I grew up terrified of disappointing the only mother I had left, ugogo wami [my grandmother]. As a result, I worked very hard to make her proud.”
Then, in 2019 Sabelo was taken under the protection of a second grandmother, Thobile, and her late husband, Thanda. They encouraged her to excel academically.
Sabelo’s passionate plea
Andisumbuso Pty Ltd is largely driven by social media, and her clients are largely social grant beneficiaries and community members from various industries. She is highly respected for her bountiful harvests and high-quality products.
In the future, she hopes to expand her business by adding a poultry farm and offering training to other farmers.
“I believe that South Africa lacks sufficient farming training institutions. Either people are unable to gain admission due to their lack of qualifications, or they reside too far away from these institutions to attend.”
In 2021, Sabelo participated in a National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) programme, followed by an American Women’s Entrepreneur’s Forum, and completed a year of incubation training at DUT.
“I now know how to legally establish my company and handle the company’s finances.”
More agricultural colleges needed
She believes that there should be more agricultural colleges that cater to both academic students and vocational skills.
“Not everyone is suited for theory; there are people who prefer to learn through observation. There is a need for a way to simplify theory and make it accessible in people’s home languages.”
In the meantime, with a heart full of hope, Sabelo is anticipating the promising journey that lies ahead in agriculture.
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