From communal land farming in 2019 to accumulating 42 hectares of land in the heart of KwaZulu-Natal, meat processor Aquinetta Zondo had no doubts about trading the corporate world for a new adventure in farming. Today she is a sought-after meat, biltong, wors, and bacon supplier.
Zondo established her business in 2019 in Howick but her life really changed in 2020 when she was selected to be part of the South African Breweries (SAB) Foundation. The programme provides investment readiness and funding support to some of the most interesting and innovative social enterprises in South Africa.
SAB’s life-changing contribution
“I started farming on communal land in 2019. At that point, I was only farming with organic vegetables. SAB saw my financials in 2020 and the business didn’t have enough cash flow. I did livestock and feedlot training, and this opened my eyes and heart to a different world within the industry,” she explains.
The SAB Foundation donated 50 sheep to Zondo to begin her livestock journey. She went through several stages, beginning with livestock sales and then moving on to meat processing.
“I went out to look for information and learned as much as possible. I eventually started supplying meat and carcasses at that time. The business started making money and it was a great feeling to see where the future can lead,” she explains.
Currently, Zondo is leasing an abattoir where she is producing meat, mincemeat, biltong, wors, bacon, and sausages, which are her bestselling products. “That’s where my love for meat processing grew and the business boomed.”
She is selling provincially and some clientele extends nationally. However, she shares that her dream is to supply international markets.
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Support is important
According to Zondo, support in the agricultural industry, especially for women, is important. What SAB has done, has made her realise that there are organisations that are willing and able to support women.
“They still support us when we are in need. I am grateful for the love, care and nurturing relationship with the SAB Foundation. They truly planted the seed in my business,” she says.
For her, this is a stepping stone to do great things but also impact the lives of women. One of the many challenges of being a women entrepreneur is that you are not taken seriously in the game, Zondo shares. But, she cautions, she did not come to play.
“My dream is to have my export facility because I don’t plan on limiting myself as a woman. The agricultural space is hard work but a space for women to enter and dream of becoming a successful commercial farmer,” she explains.
Lessons from a top meat processor:
- Start small, make mistakes, and learn.
- You will never go wrong being in the food space.
- Never look down on yourself, especially as a woman.
- Farming isn’t a get-rich-quick fix, it is hard work.
- Be patient and have grace with yourself.
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