Farming is tough – but so is Nomonde Ncongwane. Her farming business operates on three leased plots of land, totalling over 10 hectares, where she and her business partners practise mixed farming.
Managing a business of her scale comes with many challenges. Some keep her up at night but she tries not to dwell on what went wrong for too long. Besides, she has calves to feed and fresh produce to harvest, pack and sell.
“I overcome challenges by praying and reminding myself why I started. I try again and again until I see potential in whatever I put my mind to. Nothing worth having comes easy.
“I doubt there is any career without challenges, though farming seems to take the cup when it comes to challenges,” she remarks.
Humble beginnings
Ncongwane’s meat company, Mvila Meat, is based in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga. It was established in 2015 by Ncongwane who was inspired by her grandparents who were passionate farmers in her home country of Swaziland.
“Farming came naturally to me. I was raised by farmers who involved me in the daily farm tasks, like milking cows and slaughtering chickens,” she recalls.
Today, she farms with cattle, pigs, and chickens. She has an average of 20 cattle and 198 layer chickens. In addition to this, she grows spinach.
“Currently, spinach and eggs generate the most income on our farm,” she shares.
Her meat-selling business has earned the reputation of being a stable and reliable partner.
They supervise every stage of the production process, from slaughtering to product delivery. The business sells a range of products including beef trimmings, forequarter cuts, and offal such as livers, tongues, hearts, and kidneys. In addition, their pork offerings include legs, feet, pork belly, loin ribs, riblets, and bones.
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Hands-on management
When it comes to business, Ncongwane does not play.
“I’m hands-on in everything. I ensure that calves are fed and in good health. I check the wellness of animals and monitor egg production.
“In the spinach sector, I harvest, pack, and sell the produce. We have employees who see the day-to-day running of each farm because I can’t be present at all three at the same time. However, I commit to each one, and whatever happens in each one, I’m part of it,” she shares.
Mvila Meat has a fantastic team and strong partnerships. Ncongwane’s business partners, her right-hand Thabiso and assistant manager Tebogo, play a crucial role in her success, she acknowledges.
“This makes it all easy and ensures production reaches the selling stage. I do my best to make time for my responsibilities on the farm and outside the farm, like operations, marketing, and sales, though farming gets most of my time.”
Her dedication and farming practices have gained her recognition. In 2024, she was named agripreneur of the year by the Foya organisation. This, she says, is one of her proudest moments.
“It gave me a new sense of motivation and has made me intentional about growing as a female farmer in Africa.
“The reward I get from farming is almost daily, as farming is progressive and spontaneous. No two days are the same, and there’s always something to learn and get inspired by.”
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Support when times are tough
When asked about her unique approach to farming, she emphasises the power of surrounding herself with hardworking and driven fellow farmers. She also has a strict breeding method she swears by.
“At Mvila Meats, we focus on breeding organic pigs, chickens and cattle… so feed that hasn’t been modified and doesn’t have any traces of synthetic hormones or antibiotics. The cattle are grass-fed. This keeps the meat healthy and as natural as possible for human consumption,” she shares.
Ncongwane faces challenges in the agricultural industry, with natural disasters being her biggest hurdle. She is particularly impacted by events like hailstorms damaging crops, very high temperatures, and limited resources.
When times get tough, she leans on her faith and family and surrounds herself with farmers who are hardworking, driven, and consistent. “We draw unconditional support and inspiration from one another without competition,” she says.
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Planning for a brighter future
Looking ahead, Ncongwane has ambitious growth plans, also hinting at the possibility of exporting to neighbouring countries.
“We are currently selling in Witbank and Middelburg and to a small community of supporters outside of Mpumalanga. But I’m building towards growing the brand on a larger scale, possibly including exporting to neighbouring countries.”
“We are also looking into buying our own farm in the near future and having all our operations in one place.”
While there is a lot more work ahead for this young farmer, Ncongwane jokes that one of her main priorities is learning how to drive a tractor.
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