Pula Nala, a 100% African women-owned and youth-majority-owned agricultural enterprise, has received top honours at the Eastern Cape department of agriculture (DoA) Women Entrepreneur Awards held in the Alfred Nzo District.
The awards, established in 1999, aim to encourage and increase equal participation of women in agriculture, while celebrating their vital contributions to job creation, economic growth, and poverty alleviation.
In her policy speech earlier this year, agriculture MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe highlighted the department’s support for women-led enterprises, including the provision of mechanisation, one of the key drivers of agricultural productivity.
Growing from humble beginnings
Kabelo Puling, CEO of Pula Nala, reflected on the company’s beginnings and remarkable journey since its founding in 2020. “We started with over 50 hectares of land, but now we have cultivated 250 hectares, and over that period, we have employed more than 500 people.”
Puling admitted that the journey had been far more challenging than she initially expected. Despite having financial resources and a strong work ethic, success did not come as easily as she had hoped. However, she finds the experience fulfilling, especially in creating employment and witnessing her company’s growth.
Related stories
- Cows, cars and campuses in NW’s R1.2bn agri plan
- Soul To Soil brunch returns to honour agri’s leading women
- Hijacked and left for dead: KZN farmer finds healing in the soil
Diversification drives success
Pula Nala specialises in the cultivation of soya beans and maize, much of which is destined for export.
“Traders come to our village and take our produce to the harbour. They export our maize and soya beans. We do sell to the local market, but those sales are not as big,” Puling said.
Beyond field crops, the enterprise has diversified its operations to include vegetable production, spinach and lettuce, as well as livestock farming.
Their poultry unit rears broiler chicks and manages 300 layer hens, supplying eggs to major retail outlets such as Spar, Boxer and Wimpy. They are also exploring indigenous chicken cross-breeding for improved product quality and have started raising pigs for the white meat market.
Reflecting on the award, Puling said, “It means so much to me, it means that the work that one is doing is being recognised and that is encouraging, and I’m really proud of my family.”
In addition to Pula Nala’s win, the event also recognised other exceptional women-led enterprises. Nolandumbinda Milling was awarded best agro-processor, while Ndikhoyo Trading took top honours in the best smallholder producer category.
As the awards continue across the province, more women-led enterprises are expected to compete for honours in the Chris Hani, OR Tambo, Sarah Baartman and Amathole districts.
READ NEXT: Tshwagong: Raising Brahmans, building dreams, feeding Mzansi
