For 26 years, Fisokuhle Mthethwa was addicted to drugs. It was the only life he knew until he chose something else – agriculture.
Achieving a drug-free life was marked by various challenges for Mthethwa, who resides in Melmoth, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). Throughout a significant portion of his life, he recounts that substance abuse consumed him.
Initially struggling to secure steady employment after matriculating in 1998, Mthethwa resorted to gardening jobs to sustain his drug habit. It was during this time that his fondness for cultivating plants began to blossom.
Falling and rising
“I was a mandrax addict for 26 years. I am now celebrating four years of a drug-free life.”
He adds, “I found myself developing a genuine passion for vegetable production, which ultimately motivated me to establish my own agricultural enterprise.”
Despite numerous attempts to kickstart his gardening ventures, inconsistency plagued most of his efforts, leading to repeated setbacks.
Mthethwa candidly acknowledges that his battle with drug addiction persisted until it took a toll on his health, forcing him to choose between street life or his life. Eventually, through perseverance, faith and determination, he succeeded.
Today, Mthethwa grows exotic peppers and tomatoes, with hopes of one day harvesting tonnes of fresh produce each season.
A unique selling point
Mthethwa decided to cultivate crops uncommon in his region. This choice has given him a unique position with no local competitors, he shares.
He farms on 1.5 hectares of land provided by Mthonjaneni High School in Melmoth. Mthethwa dreams of acquiring more land from schools to expand his cultivation.
Although he sells vegetables, he also makes seeds and seedlings. His agribusiness, Sukumakahle Foundation, was officially established in 2011.
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Most of Mthethwa’s clientele are agro-processors, and he says they can’t get enough of his exotic produce.
“Farming is a constant battle,” Mthethwa explains, noting that water scarcity is the biggest challenge in Melmoth. Since the school’s water supply is reserved for educational purposes, it makes sustaining his farm even harder.
“I wish to have more land and a steady water supply. That would allow me to expand my crop varieties but right now, these challenges are holding me back,” he says.
Looking to the future, Mthethwa is eager to explore agro-processing further and add more produce. He’s actively researching high-demand plants in KZN to grow his business and seize new opportunities.
For anyone battling addiction, his advice is straightforward: “No one else can make you leave the streets. You must find the strength to quit yourself.”
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