In the next episode of our Farmer Mentor podcast series, we meet Kitso Monyadi, who is driven by a strong sense of social responsibility. She uses her farm’s success to give back to the community, sharing the fruits of her hard work.
Kitso Monyadi, co-founder of Botlhale Ba Rra-mmutla Farms, is not just a farmer but an innovator with a deep-rooted commitment to indigenous knowledge systems.
Monyadi’s path to becoming an agripreneur was not straightforward. She began by selling hardbody chickens as a side hustle to support her two younger siblings after the passing of their mother.
“At the time my mom had just passed away and I had to take care of my two younger siblings. I’m the oldest of three from my mom’s side and I had to start living with them and taking care of them and become a caregiver. I was 22,” she recalls.
Her entrepreneurial journey started with word-of-mouth referrals, eventually leading her to apply for a loan and purchase a farm.
Gin, teas, and timeless remedies
At Botlhale Ba Rra-mmutla Farms in Pretoria, Monyadi practices regenerative agriculture and sustainable farming. The farm produces a variety of products, including powdered oyster mushroom capsules, hemp healing teas infused with botanicals, and a distinctive hemp gin from Hempire Beverages.
“The teas are infused with many different botanicals for a flavourful taste. We also just recently launched the gin where it’s a blend of the gin and the hemp. We’re still working with the designer to perfect the labelling.”
One of the most innovative aspects of Monyadi’s work is her collaboration with the University of Pretoria.
“We have formulated a personal care range from these indigenous plants. The profiles of the ingredients have been studied by professionals. These are specifically targeted to heal various skin care issues like acne, and uneven skin tone. It helps with sprinkles, hyperpigmentation and a lot of other things.”
The personal care range, developed in collaboration with Professor Namrita Lall, is backed by over 25 years of research. This partnership blends scientific rigour with indigenous knowledge systems, creating products that are both effective and culturally significant.
Monyadi’s farm employs organic practices, avoiding fertilisers and using hemp as a soil remediator.
“We grow hemp as a soil remediator. It’s like the base and then spinach in between. We also have mixed herbs like your basil, thyme, and mint. So, that’s what we intercrop with.”
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The accidental philanthropist
Monyadi has a deep-rooted sense of social responsibility and a community-centred approach to business. She sees entrepreneurship as a means to uplift others, demonstrating a rare balance between ambition and compassion.
“From the proceeds of what we sell, we’re giving back to the community. We believe in benefit sharing. We have to work in conjunction with the community and help everyone out,” says Monyadi.
“Everyone calls me a social entrepreneur. Like even with the products that I exhibit… They always accuse me of always wanting to give away everything,” she laughs.
“I’m slightly fighting that part of myself to become a more sustainable businesswoman and not be too charitable. As much as I need to help others, I need to help myself.”
Recently she was appointed as the sectorial chairperson in agriculture for the Circle of Global Business Women. This new role amplifies her mission beyond South Africa’s borders.
“Now my mission is to help everyone, not only in South Africa, but globally to excel in the space of agriculture. As farmers, we’re just limited to growing fresh produce and then that’s it. I want farmers to go beyond the fresh produce. Be innovative. Think out of the box, go into agri-processing.”
Small space, big ideas
Her innovation extends to her belief in the importance of creating byproducts to sustain her business.
“Innovation is important to me because I want to be sustainable. I want to have a sustainable business. And with my one-hectare farm, I won’t be producing in mass at such a small space. So, I need to have byproducts that are going to help my business become sustainable.”
Monyadi emphasises the value of exporting products rather than just fresh produce.
“It’s very easy to produce fresh produce, but you can’t export fresh produce at all. But a product you can, and that is what people want globally, is a product.”
Reflecting on her journey, Monyadi attributes much of her success to her faith and spirituality. “Sometimes we tend to forget that God is always ahead of us. God is always aligning things in our favour, that sometimes we forget to pray. But you must always remember that God is always on our side.”
Her message to aspiring farmers and entrepreneurs is simple. “Don’t focus on what you don’t have. Start with what you do have. My inability to have a borehole didn’t stop me in terms of growing excessively on the farm.”
Want to know more? Listen to the full episode of Farmer’s Inside Track.
Option 1: Click here to listen on Spotify (all mobile and other devices).
Option 2: Click here to listen on any Apple device.
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