The South African woman breaking barriers in viticulture
In December 2015, Dr Erna Blancquaert made history when she became the first woman of colour in Africa to obtain a PhD in viticulture. She is now a lecturer and...
A journey from a 3ha plot to a 21ha commercial vegetable farm
Zoleka Dikana was raised on an agricultural homestead, which resulted in her passion for farming. She now runs her Aruzabis farming business on 21ha of arable land near the Maya...
Cultivating a greener future in the Eastern Cape
On the family-owned Alberta Songo’s Farm in Bengu Village, Lady Frere, in the Eastern Cape, Sive Songo runs Bonani Entities, a burgeoning agricultural enterprise in South Africa’s nascent hemp industry.
Building a farming legacy in the Eastern Cape
Phumza Sifingo runs Cingisita Piggery in Kidd’s Beach. Sifingo began her operation in 2019 with only 10 pigs, but with the help of the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency (ECRDA),...
ECRDA support helps farmer move to next level
Nomagcina Suduka started her farming business, Ingarise Poultry, in 2022. It is located in the Mangqukela Village in the Eastern Cape’s Great Kei Local Municipality.
Revitalising the textile industry with South African flair
Nobuzwe Mabona is a name quickly becoming synonymous with African printing designs. Based in Zwelitsha in the Eastern Cape, Mabona owns and operates her own textile design printing company.
How the ECRDA is driving the development of rural agriculture
Simpiwe Somdyala, CEO of the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency, speaks about the agency’s ambitious plans to significantly increase agricultural production in the province.
Leading with purpose: Dr Ilse Trautmann’s recipe for success
Dr Ilse Trautmann, deputy director-general for Agricultural Research and Regulatory Services, has helped drive the Western Cape Department of Agriculture’s success as one of the country’s best-performing departments. She spoke...
Making a mark on agriculture through education
As we celebrate Women’s Month, Octavia Avesca Spandiel spoke to Dr Hlamalani Ngwenya about her remarkable journey from a home economics teacher to a globally recognised leader in agricultural extension,...
NPO takes young farmer training to new level
Living Hope, a faith-based non-profit organisation in the Western Cape, offers fully funded experiential training in intensive fresh produce production to young, aspiring farmers. Nan Smith visited the organisation to...
‘Inspiring other young people is my goal’
Noluthando Khumalo grew up in Impendle within the uMgungundlovu District in KwaZulu-Natal at the foot of the Drakensberg. The settlement is in the catchment areas of the Mkhomazi River in...
Young farmer’s future is guided by big dreams
“Farming chose me,” says Yolanda Mbali Maphalala. Maphalala grew up in the rural community of Zwelisha in KwaZulu-Natal where agriculture is seen as a way of life.
