In the mining-dominated town of Luka in North West, one woman is growing a lot more than vegetables. Mpho Montsho is cultivating independence, self-reliance and a new narrative for women and youth in her community.
By Maphuti Mongatane, Business Development Manager at African Farming
Her story starts with early exposure to livestock, a childhood memory that quietly matured into a calling. Over time, that early love for animals evolved into a passion for producing fresh, organic vegetables and building a farming business from the soil up.
“Being a woman in agriculture means breaking barriers, producing food and making a social impact by creating jobs and mentoring others.”
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A Farm Called Mphoentle
Today, Mpho runs Mphoentle Agribusiness from a modest plot in Ratshwene Section, Luka, where she works tirelessly to produce spinach, chillies and mustard, and manage a small but growing livestock unit. Her land, although limited in size, is a model of care and quality. Its sandy loam soil, nurtured with drip and sprinkler irrigation, yields healthy, weed-free crops that feed local families and support her household.
This small plot is just the beginning. Mpho has been allocated five hectares of land near 14 Shaft by the Royal Bafokeng Traditional Council and she hopes to develop this opportunity with the right infrastructure, fencing and irrigation. With this new space, her dream is to expand her production and create a thriving agricultural enterprise that brings lasting economic relief to her community.
Her vegetables are sold through informal markets in Luka, making them affordable and accessible to households often stretched by the cost of living. She currently employs three local workers on a temporary basis, reinforcing her deep belief in youth employment and local empowerment.
A Journey Paved with Challenges
As a black woman in agriculture, Mpho has faced her fair share of closed doors. She has battled with the undervaluation of her work, limited access to funding and a lack of basic infrastructure such as storage space, JoJo tanks and packhouses. Despite this, her persistence has carried her forward.
Mpho innovates using what she has. She supplements her crops with organic pesticides, applies furrow irrigation to conserve water and stretches her revenue to reinvest in future inputs.
“I started with no assistance, just hard work and the will to grow. And I’ll keep going until I can stand tall beside the commercial farmers I once looked up to.”
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Building a Community of Growers
Mpho’s journey isn’t only about production, it’s also about purpose. After completing plant production training at Kgora Farmers Training Centre and later learning Dorper sheep farming with DorperSA, she became a natural mentor. Today, she shares her knowledge freely, supporting young people from Luka who want to start their own journeys in agriculture.
She is committed to creating alternatives to mining jobs, especially for the youth. To her, farming is not just a profession, it’s a vehicle for transformation, capable of changing mindsets, building skills and reigniting hope in communities long overlooked.
“With farming you can make a difference and change lives. That is my purpose in life.”
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Looking Ahead
Over the next five to 10 years, Mpho envisions herself leading a fully operational, diversified farm on her newly allocated five hectares. She dreams of scaling her livestock and vegetable production, employing more youth and training others to become commercial farmers. For her, this isn’t just about growing food, it’s also about growing people.
“I want the next generation of Luka to know they can start their own path and succeed, and not only dream of being mine workers.”
From the red soils of Luka to the hearts of those she mentors, Mpho Montsho is sowing seeds of purpose and resilience. And with each harvest, she brings her community one step closer to a future built on sustainability, dignity and homegrown success.
