By Maile Matsimela
As the world continues to celebrate International Women’s Month, South Africa is also celebrating a notable figure who is breaking barriers and transforming the agricultural landscape.
Nomsa Ngwenya, farmer and founder of NTL Baraka Eco Farming, has turned her expertise into a thriving organic business and is supplying over 52 tonnes of cocktail tomatoes annually through the SPAR Mopani Hub. Nomsa’s dedication was recently acknowledged when The Kagiso Trust’s Tyala Impact Fund named her Female Farmer of the Year in the SPAR Mopani Hub programme. Her success highlights the role of women in driving economic and social change.
The SPAR Group said it prioritises food security and a new generation of women farmers are stepping up, breaking barriers and transforming the agricultural landscape. “These women are proving that small-scale farming can produce high-quality crops for both local and international markets, paving the way for a more inclusive and sustainable food system,” said Mpudi Maubane, PR, Communications and Sponsorship Manager at The SPAR Group.
Mpudi said women have long been at the forefront of progress across industries and agriculture is no exception. “We’re seeing an inspiring shift as more women take ownership of their farming businesses.”
Ngwenya is armed with a master’s degree in agricultural science, and instead of a conventional career, she chose to establish an organic farming business specialising in cocktail tomatoes, herbs and the highly sought-after moringa. Despite facing hurdles such as obtaining international certification and securing transport for her produce, Nomsa persevered.
Her journey took a positive turn in 2022 when she joined the SPAR Rural Hub programme, which provides small-scale farmers with resources, training and access to markets.
“SPAR’s support was a game changer – it help me increase production and transport my produce to market,” she says.
Today, she supplies over 52 tonnes of cocktail tomatoes annually through the SPAR Mopani Hub.
With the prize money she received after being named Female Farmer of the Year, she invested in solar-powered irrigation. This helps her reduce costs and improve efficiency.
Beyond farming, Nomsa is committed to training the next generation of farmers, offering internships and encouraging youth to consider careers in agriculture.
Looking ahead, she plans to establish a processing factory for moringa-based products and explore opportunities in turmeric coffee and morula oil production, supporting both her business and her local community.
The SPAR Group continues to champion small-scale farmers, helping them scale up and integrate into the retail supply chain.
“Our goal is to create a truly inclusive food system where women-led farms can thrive, and for people to know that with every SPAR Freshline product purchased, there is a woman farmer behind it,” says Maubane.
Nomsa’s story is a testament to the power of women’s resilience, entrepreneurship and innovation in shaping the future of agriculture.
