By Lebogang Mashala
Bennedicter Mhlongo is a multi-award-winning farmer known for his versatility. He has skilfully combined his entrepreneurial spirit with street-smart strategies to establish a successful farming and processing business. In recognition of his achievements, he was awarded the 2023 Social Entrepreneur of the Year by FNB and Fetola and the 2024 Climate Adaptation Award from Indalo Inclusive SA.
Bennedicter “Benni” Mhlongo, founder and co-owner of Benica Farms, embodies the attributes of being street smart. He is an effective communicator, a strategic thinker, a creative problem solver and an adaptable thinker.
Benni and his wife, Veronica, co-own Benica Farm, a ten-hectare property between Acornhoek and Arthur’s Seat, just outside Bushbuckridge. The farm specialises in producing cash crops and processed products, supplying a variety of vegetables and herbs to lodges and restaurants surrounding Kruger National Park, as well as to retailers. They also operate farm stalls in nearby villages. In addition to fresh produce, Benni and Veronica make a chilli sauce, Benica Sauce, and dried herbs, which are processed on-site.
Benni believes that losing his parents at a young age forced him to develop essential survival skills early in life. Orphaned at 11, he was raised by his grandmother, a smallholder farmer. “I’ve always been a hustler, and I’ve learned invaluable lessons that set me apart from many smallholder farmers today,” says Benni. “The most important skill I am grateful to have learned is selling.”
After completing high school, Benni encountered limited opportunities to further his education. Fortunately, he discovered a bursary program to train as a nurse. It was part of the Limpopo government’s poverty alleviation initiative to support child-headed families and orphaned children. At that time, Bushbuckridge was within the Limpopo province. “I didn’t have a passion for nursing, but it was a way for me to gain education and employment,” recalls Benni.
He began his training in 2001 at Ga-Sekororo Hospital. After completing his training, he was assigned to the same hospital. A few years later, he had the opportunity to choose his placement. “I chose to return home to Bushbuckridge to the Tintswalo hospital in Acornhoek,” says Benni.
Because he lacked interest in nursing, Benni focused on acquiring other skills, including design and general administrative tasks, which kept him away from direct patient care. These skills earned him a position under the matron, where he managed administrative work, including writing and designing reports. “I never worked with patients at Tintswalo Hospital,” he says.
Recognising opportunities in office administration, Benni later enrolled in a part-time Office Administration course. “I graduated and was subsequently promoted to the CEO’s office as the Personal Assistant.”.
Working in the CEO’s office enabled him to interact with many people, inspiring him to seek opportunities in public relations. “I completed another course and was appointed the hospital’s public relations officer,” he remembers.
Throughout his time at the hospital, Benni maintained his entrepreneurial spirit. “I was involved in various small businesses: I bought damaged second-hand cars, fixed and sold them, repaired computers, ran a shisa nyama and car wash, and sold vegetables.” He also cultivated a backyard garden. His passion for farming grew to the point that in 2013, he decided to leave his job and focus on farming full-time.
The farm he now operates was originally his grandmother’s, who produced subsistence crops like sweet potatoes, spinach, and other traditional products. Since taking over operations in 2014, he expanded the farm from less than 2 hectares, which his grandmother managed, to 10 hectares. He grows butternuts, chillies, spinach, and cabbage in open fields, as well as cherry tomatoes, herbs (like mint, parsley, and basil), and peppers in greenhouses.
However, farming independently proved to be more challenging than he expected. He received just under R250 000 from his pension payout after tax deductions. “I bought myself a second-hand bakkie and farm necessities such as pumps and pipes, but that money ran out quickly,” explains Benni.
The property had no reliable water source except for a semi-perennial stream running through it, which he used for irrigation, but he had to seek alternatives during dry spells. “This was a significant setback for me because I had to use the bakkie to collect irrigation water,” he says. According to Benni, this period tested his resolve. “I told myself that if farming didn’t work out, I would use the bakkie for deliveries from hardware stores. I saw many older folks making a living that way,” he recalls.
The struggle continued as he navigated the complexities of running a commercial farm versus maintaining a backyard garden. “You need to understand various aspects, such as disease management and irrigation, to operate a commercial farm successfully.”
Social media ultimately led to his first breakthrough. “I began posting everything I did on the farm and my struggles. I also joined a few farming groups and started building a network.”
He conducted extensive research and decided to specialise in one crop: chillies. Through research and online discussions with seasoned chilli growers, his production began to improve. “I started sharing posts about my beautiful chilli crop, which gained attention from some commercial chilli growers in Hoedspruit. They began liking and sharing my content online.”
The farm is located near the Kruger National Park and gained recognition from the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, which owns lodges and restaurants and operates 18 all-inclusive lodges and four self-catering camps.
“I received a phone call one day from the management of Timbavati, who wanted to bring tourists to my farm. They mentioned that some international organisations were interested in seeing small-scale farming projects and wanted to show them my farm.”
Timbavati also operates the Timbavati Foundation, which actively engages in sustainability programmes within neighbouring communities through outreach and educational initiatives, social upliftment, and community care projects.
Timbavati donated an old game fence from one of their game farms, which helped Benni finish fencing the four last hectares of his farm – the first six hectares he had managed to finance himself. Furthermore, they began purchasing fresh produce from him, which boosted his sales. Through their foundation, Timbavati assisted Benni by providing a new, fully equipped borehole, water tanks, and pumps and constructing a 10×30 meter greenhouse. “This was like a dream come true for me,” he says.
The ongoing publicity on their website and social media has helped transform Benica Farm into a near-tourist destination. “Some of these tourists bring opportunities to the farm. I received some beehives as a donation, allowing me to produce my own branded honey,” adds Benni.
Timbavati has consistently supported Benica Farm. “They are currently building toilet and shower facilities for the workers,” says Benni.
The Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has also come on board to support Benica Farm. They have provided training for Benni, Veronica, and their workers. “This farm is SA GAP and HACCP certified through the department’s intervention. I also received about 200 Smart Grower boxes, which I use to grow my herbs.”
He says his approach to production has shifted from traditional methods to a more strategic system aimed at boosting profitability. “Previously, I produced according to the traditional production seasons. Now, I aim to produce based on market demand,” he says. He grows crops like spinach and cabbage during the off-peak season. “Many people plant these in winter due to concerns about diseases and pests, but I choose to grow them in summer. With an effective management system, one can control these issues, and fewer products on the market drive good prices,” he explains.
Benni’s focus has shifted from traditional vegetables to high-value crops like herbs and peppers to meet his clientele’s demands, which include lodges catering to international and local high-end markets.
For the Benica sauce, he collaborated with a qualified food technician. Not only did he assist in developing the recipe, but he also connected Benni with a network for packaging and food testing through the University of Limpopo.
The chillies and other vegetables are grown on the farm, but they source produce from retailers during the off-season. “Benica Chilli Sauce is a flavourful and spicy condiment made from high-quality chillies, carefully selected and blended to create a unique taste experience,” he says. “Our sauce is perfect for adding a kick to your favourite dishes, from stir-fries and marinades to dips and sauces.” He adds that the sauce has become one of the best-selling condiments in retail stores.
“I love growing chillies because I started with them and mastered the crop, which inspired me to add value to the produce by agro-processing it. We are also developing a Benica peri-peri powder, which will be launched later this year,” he says.
Benni is now working on acquiring funds to establish a packhouse and processing facility for his products. “This will help me grow the business and employ more people,” he says
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