Witness the awe-inspiring transformation of Dlalisile Lenong, a tenacious engineer turned #SoilSista, as she takes the pig farming world by storm. In just two years, she has redefined success, doubling her herd and becoming a beacon of inspiration for aspiring agripreneurs.
What began as a venture to nurture, wean, and raise just 25 pigs has blossomed into an awe-inspiring tale of growth and triumph for Lenong, with her herd doubling in size. A remarkable 50-year-old force of nature, her story transcends mere years, reflecting wisdom and vigour that belie her relatively short two-year tenure in the field.
Deep agricultural roots
With a long-standing family history in Dennilton, Limpopo, Lenong found herself returning to her agricultural and sustainable roots. Her grandparents had a deep love for farming and self-sufficiency, which inspired her to follow suit in her own backyard.
She is one of the remarkable farmers chosen for the 2023 Corteva Women Agripreneur programme, a year-long blended development initiative at the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) Entrepreneurship Development Academy (EDA).
“My grandparents’ mixed farming inspired me to start my own farm, but I couldn’t do it full-time back then,” she explains.
Although she has ventured into farming anew, this spirited #SoilSista continues to earn her living by working for a company that specialises in selling cleaning and hygiene products. Adding even more intrigue to Lenong’s story, she is a professionally trained engineer.
“I am a trained engineer, but I couldn’t secure a job in the field, so I ended up working in sales,” she reveals during an interview with Food For Mzansi.
Regardless of her circumstances, Lenong has always been determined to create a better future for herself. She took calculated steps and eventually, in June, made the decision to resign from her job and fully embrace the role of a farmer.
Impact of the #SoilSista programme
Lenong came across the Corteva Agriscience programme advertisement on Food For Mzansi, a site she avidly follows as a reader. Without hesitation, she applied for the programme, and to her astonishment, she finds herself where she is today.
“At the time, I felt I might not be ready for it, considering the size of my operation. Nonetheless, I decided to give it a shot, and fortunately, I was chosen among 350 women,” she exclaims.
One aspect of the programme that resonated with her deeply was the opportunity to meet intelligent and ambitious women. Lenong recognises the significance of building a network in the agricultural sector and expresses her genuine gratitude to the Corteva programme for facilitating such connections.
“Networking and sharing experiences with others are crucial for personal growth,” she emphasises.
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