Yonela Rilityana grew up in the boondocks of Yawa Location, Ngcobo, in the Eastern Cape, watching her grandparents turn their passion for farming into a means of sustaining their community. That early spark ignited her own journey, leading her to build Nellas Sustainable Farming on inherited land.
Sun-kissed fields of Yawa shaped Rilityana’s childhood. She started farming at just 12 years old, helping her grandparents, Sidima Rilityana and Nosingile Rilityana.
“It started with just helping my grandparents in the garden. My late grandfather was a passionate farmer; he motivated me to pursue farming. I loved seeing him cultivate the land and produce food for the community.
“They were dedicated farmers who planted a variety of vegetables and raised animals like pigs, sheep, and cows on their land. Watching them tend to their crops and care for their livestock was truly inspiring, and it sparked a deep love for agriculture within me,” she recalls.
Those moments planted a seed that would grow into her lifelong calling, even as she chased other paths.
A pivot to agriculture
Rilityana attended local schools, diving into physics and mathematics. After high school, she enrolled at Ikhala TVET College to study electrical engineering. However, she struggled with it, lacking enough passion, and later dropped out, a tough choice that steered her toward a thriving future.
“Quitting engineering was tough, but my heart was set on agriculture,” she says.
“I wanted to pursue a career in the agricultural industry. I was fortunate to be part of a learnership programme (Lui Agri) that focused on plant production and provided me with invaluable skills, knowledge, as well as hands-on experience. This programme was a game-changer for me, and it solidified my decision to start my own agricultural venture.”
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The 12-month learnership, later extended by three months to sharpen her business skills, not only equipped her with vital knowledge but also provided a stipend she saved towards her dream.
With that money and help from her mother, Siphokazi Rilityana, she bought seeds and essential equipment to start her farming journey.
Land, legacy, and a new start
In 2025, soon after the learnership ended, her grandmother – seeing her agricultural dedication as the first grandchild and with her grandfather already passed – decided to put her farmland under Rilityana’s name before she too passed away shortly after.
She planted her first crops on that cherished legacy land, then registered her company, Nellas Sustainable Farming, with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC).
It was a bold leap into mixed farming, blending crop production with animal husbandry.
“I started with spinach, potatoes, carrots, cabbage, spring onions and beetroot. I made my own seedlings and transplanted them. I also have pigs, sheep, and broilers, as it is a mixed farm.”
Today, she continues to farm vegetables, pigs, and broilers on two hectares of land.
Her greatest achievement is creating jobs for five locals, with three permanent and two part-time employees, while producing fresh food for the community.
“I’m thrilled to be doing what I love, and I’m grateful to be creating opportunities for others to join me on this journey.”
Family fuels her farming passion
She attributes her success to her mother’s unwavering support, which helped her take the leap.
“She believed in me and my vision for Nellas Sustainable Farming, even when I lacked the resources. She bought pigs and feed, and also helped me through tough times. She made sure I had what I needed to succeed, from fertilisers to medicine for the animals. Her support keeps me going.”
Yet, even with the greatest support, challenges persist. Rilityana still faces water scarcity and market access, but this hasn’t got her down, as plans to improve irrigation are already in motion.
Looking ahead, Rilityana gazes toward bigger fields, aiming to expand Nellas Sustainable Farming to 10 hectares, ramp up production, and introduce value-added products that carry her grandparents’ legacy forward.
This forward drive shapes the guidance she offers newcomers: “Start small, be passionate, and learn continuously. Farming’s tough but rewarding; it is about nurturing life and feeding communities. Be patient, be hands-on, and adapt,” she concludes.
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