By Maphuti Mongatane , Business Development Manager at African Farming
Born and raised in northern Limpopo, Sophy Litshani Musabeni has had a keen eye for opportunity from a young age. While still in high school, she planted spinach in the backyard and began selling it to her neighbours. By Grade 11, she was supplying a nearby mine, and the income she earned helped her mother build a house. Her entrepreneurial spirit took root early, long before she ever imagined becoming a farmer.
But life had a detour in store. Her mother, eager to see her daughter in a stable and respected profession, encouraged her to study nursing. Sophy went to university and qualified as a nurse, and dedicated herself to the profession. Yet deep inside she knew her true calling lay elsewhere – with her hands in the soil, building something of her own.
With remarkable courage, Sophy made a life-changing decision. She resigned from her nursing job and invested her severance package in farmland. That bold move marked the first step towards her true destiny.
Love for the land
What began as a dream has blossomed into a thriving farm in Mapleton, Boksburg, where Sophy grows vegetables such as patty pans, butternuts, green beans and spinach. Her produce fills the shelves of Shoprite, Checkers, Pick n Pay, and local SPAR stores, making its way from her fields into households across the country.
Her impact extends beyond agriculture. Sophy employs 15 permanent workers and up to 70 seasonal workers, contributing meaningfully to job creation in a country facing high unemployment.
True to her roots, Sophy still draws on her Limpopo background – both in spirit and in practice. Aware of Gauteng’s frosty winters, she smartly utilises land back home in Limpopo, where the climate remains favourable. This allows her to maintain supply even when others pause, proving her to be as strategic as she is passionate.
Sophy personally delivers her produce, ensuring freshness and building trust with her retail partners. She is not just a farmer; she is a visionary, a leader, and an example of what’s possible when passion meets purpose.
To young people and aspiring farmers, especially women, Sophy ‘s message is clear: “It’s okay to choose your path. It’s okay to follow your dream even if it’s different from what others expect.”
Farming, she believes, is a calling that demands faith, resilience and love for the land.
Looking ahead, she hopes to expand her operations, introduce hydroponic farming, and one day export her produce. From a back yard in Limpopo to the supermarket shelves of Johannesburg, Sophy’s journey is a powerful testament to the rewards of believing in your vision and never giving up on it.
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