Step into the heartlands of resilience and triumph! Food For Mzansi’s assistant editor, Duncan Masiwa, shares some of the top stories that inspired the team in 2023. From fearless young farmers to relentless spirits battling adversity, witness the remarkable journey of those who turned challenges into triumphs.
1. Plaatjie is a beacon of resilience and inspiration
Khanyisile Plaatjie, a resilient young farmer from North West, encountered adversity in 2022, grappling with livestock losses and theft. Undeterred, she persevered in pursuing her farming dream, fuelled by passion and unwavering familial support.
Armed with a certificate in animal production and a degree in business management, Plaatjie adeptly oversees 82 hectares of communal land, nurturing Simbra cross cattle, goats, and sheep.
Despite grappling with challenges such as limited water access, stock theft, and a lack of cooperation, her ambition extends to expanding her enterprise and motivating others to embrace farming for community and livelihood enhancement.
Her unwavering dedication and tenacity make her an incredibly compelling source of inspiration in 2023.
ALSO READ: Plaatjie comes out fighting after bruising battles
2. Makwala gains YouTube fame as broiler guru
Mphoke Makwala, the founder of Makwala Agri, transformed a one-hectare plot in Limpopo into a thriving broiler chicken business. Initially eyeing the property, he embraced farming for its swift returns. Juggling three jobs and diligently saving over R100 000, he ventured into broiler farming, recognising their rapid market turnover.
Despite early missteps, he expanded his operations, and his success story on YouTube amassed over 4 000 subscribers. Makwala sets his sights on reaching 100 000 subscribers, emphasising the importance of passion in business and aspiring to uplift others in the agricultural sector. His journey is a testament to resilience, unwavering determination, and the transformative power of sharing knowledge.
ALSO READ: YouTube hit: Hordes flock to Makwala for broiler help
3. Meet Vicky, the poultry warrior
In the face of challenges, the determination and agricultural passion of young farmer Vicky Mhlanga shine brightly. Coming from a farming family, her journey from 400 to 1 500 chickens on her one-hectare farm is a testament to resilience.
Despite enduring two break-ins, her resolve remains unshaken. Balancing farming with teaching, Mhlanga confronts issues such as water scarcity and escalating operational expenses.
With the support of her brother, she aspires to expand her enterprise, installing a borehole and refining her farming techniques. Mhlanga’s narrative is truly inspiring, underscoring the significance of commencing small, confronting obstacles, and pursuing dreams with unwavering passion and patience.
ALSO READ: Plucky farmer Mhlanga keeps dusting herself off
4. Asenathi’s inspiring journey in farming and education
In 2023, Food For Mzansi put the spotlight on Asenathi Ngqobe, an 18-year-old livestock farmer shattering barriers. Balancing a thriving livestock farm alongside her second-year studies in journalism and law at Rhodes University, Ngqobe challenges age-related norms.
Her ardent enthusiasm for agriculture, outstanding academic achievements, and diverse business ventures have garnered widespread recognition.
From overseeing diverse livestock to navigating auctions and marketing meat, Ngqobe’s tenacity shines through. Despite encountering challenges, she underscores the significance of continual learning, encouraging others to chase their aspirations irrespective of age, and highlighting the pivotal role of education in achieving one’s dreams.
ALSO READ: Young Ngqobe matches academic with agri excellence
5. Young farmer with remarkable wisdom
At just 19, Tumelo Ngakanyane, a high school student and livestock farmer, stands as a testament to determination and generational continuity. Growing up assisting his grandfather, Tumelo embraced the responsibility of sustaining his family’s farming legacy.
Gifted 50 cows and five bulls at 16, he navigated challenges, from veld fires to droughts, emphasising the resilience farming demands. Balancing education and agriculture, Tumelo aspires to be an auctioneer, urging for more youth engagement in agriculture.
His story underscores the enduring value of farming and the crucial role of mentorship in sustaining agricultural traditions.
ALSO READ: Young livestock farmer wise beyond his years
6. The most ambitious goat farmer
Mpendulo Mbatha, a dynamic goat farmer and publisher, seized the opportunity to revolutionize goat farming in South Africa. Merging his publishing and marketing background with a diploma in animal science, Mbatha founded the Qhakaza Goat Farmers Association, uniting over 150 goat farmers.
Despite facing challenges like theft and lack of support, he emphasizes the untapped potential in the goat industry, from diverse products like meat to cashmere clothing.
With a vision for goats as the next meat alternative, Mbatha aims to elevate goat farming, empower farmers, and challenge traditional perceptions of this resilient animal.
ALSO READ: Go-getter goat farmer takes it to the next level
7. A farmer with many passions
Vuyokazi Poppy, an Eastern Cape chef, defied societal norms in South Africa to pursue her passion for farming, establishing Inakum Poultry Farming. Inspired by her farming roots, she overcame challenges, including mistaking chick breeds and adjusting to industry intricacies.
A culinary arts graduate turned poultry farmer, Poppy, also a law student, strives for self-improvement and envisions Inakum as a leading provider of farm-fresh chicken.
Her story, like many other farmers’, resonates, showcasing resilience, multi-faceted skills, and a commitment to empowering women in agribusiness. Poppy’s dedication captivates audiences, making her a beacon in 2023’s notable stories.
ALSO READ: Poultry farming is just one of Poppy’s passions
8. A farmer with sleepless dedication
Andile Mkhize, a young farmer from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, embodies a deep-rooted passion for agriculture. Raised in a farming family, he cultivates spinach, emphasising quality to secure a deal with Spar Supermarket.
His commitment extends beyond personal farming; as a training manager at Toutele Agricultural College, he mentors young enthusiasts, advocating resilience and collaboration. Recognised among Africa’s brightest young minds, Mkhize aspires to transform agriculture with technology.
His dedication, community engagement, and vision for youth involvement in farming earned him acclaim, making his story a standout and inspiring narrative for Food For Mzansi in 2023.
ALSO READ: Mkhize’s passion for agri keeps him awake at night
9. From hair breakage to lucrative agribusiness
Nonzukiso Dibela, the founder of Imvelo Riches in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, turned her daughter’s hair struggles into a thriving business. Witnessing her daughter’s confidence plummet due to hair breakage, Dibela launched a natural hair care line, using organic oils and herbs.
Starting with R20 000, she overcame challenges by staying focused on her goal and leveraging social media for exposure. Imvelo Riches offers a range of products, from shampoo to growth oil.
Dibela advises aspiring entrepreneurs to know their “why,” find a mentor, conduct thorough research, and connect with like-minded individuals.
ALSO READ: Agripreneur: Dibela turns hair breakage into booming profits
10. A dome of solutions
Petrus Maduna’s journey from a challenging childhood to an inspiring agricultural entrepreneur captured hearts in 2023. Raised on a Western Cape potato farm, Maduna faced adversity when his father fell ill, compelling him to drop out of school to support his family.
Witnessing the hardships of female farmworkers fueled his passion to lighten their load. Despite setbacks, including a prison sentence, Maduna’s vision crystallised with the Nkoetona Multi-dome Project, a portable solution empowering women and youth in farming.
His story resonates, reflecting resilience, empathy, and innovative solutions for a brighter agricultural future.
ALSO READ: Maduna’s farming brainchild ticks many boxes
Get Stories of Change: Inspirational stories from the people that feed Mzansi.
