Sphelele Ncayiyana has always quietly admired the beauty of nature. One day, while scrolling through social media, he came across a farmer’s account brimming with stunning images of sun-drenched fields and vibrant green crops.
He began to imagine himself in the farmer’s shoes. His hands in the rich soil, cultivating crops and then selling them off to different markets. The idea of farming took root in his mind, growing stronger with each passing day.
“Sihle Maseko’s [Instagram account] inspires me because he is also a young farmer who is working very hard on his business. He inspires me because he loves what he does and he produces good quality and supplies big brands like Spar and Boxer.”
With his mother’s garden as his starting point, Ncayiyana began growing vegetables, starting with cabbages and spinach. While working as a assistant teacher at Esivivaneni Primary School [in Harding, KwaZulu-Natal] for ten months, Ncayiyana saved the money he earned and used it to buy seedlings for his garden.
“I grew up with my late mother. She always taught us how to find our way in the garden or the farm,” Ncayiyana tells Food For Mzansi.
In March 2023, he expanded to growing potatoes on a modest scale. Today, he is the founder of Spheh Elliott (Pty) Ltd, farming on half a hectare in Harding. They supply local markets, street vendors, and supermarkets located in KwaJali Ward 09 under Umuziwabantu Municipality.
“I became a farmer because I needed to help feed my family… People from my community are supporting me too much,” he shares with gratitude.
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Navigating challenges and learning
As a new farmer, Ncayiyana relies heavily on the advice of farmers shared on social media and farming groups. He has also enrolled at the Morero Agricultural Academy, where he is taught the intricacies of crop farming.
“The journey has not been very difficult for me although I do experience a few difficulties like lacking knowledge on certain things.
“I usually keep myself educated by reading up on issues that I come across. I also join farming groups on social media where farmers are able to assist each other; those have been very helpful for me,” Ncayiyana explains.
“Farming is very difficult and my biggest challenge is the weather conditions that I experience sometimes and my crops are badly affected sometimes.
“However, because I did my own research thoroughly before starting has helped me with knowing what to do to reduce problems that come with the weather,” Ncayiyana says.
Other challenges include pest infestations, funding constraints, and occasional hailstorms, he mentions.
However, these obstacles do not deter him from pursuing farming.
“I envision myself as a successful farmer with ample land, my own resources, and a team of workers to support farm operations,” Ncayiyana shares.
Setting his sights on markets such as Shoprite and Boxer Stores, Ncayiyana intends to eventually expand sales to local markets.
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