In the heart of the Royal Bafokeng Nation, a quiet transformation is taking place, led by Jennifer Modisakeng, who turned personal setback into agricultural opportunity.
By Muphuti Mongatane, Business Development Manager at African Farming
Jennifer didn’t grow up dreaming of farming. For more than a decade, she built a stable career in human resources and procurement. But when she was retrenched, her world shifted. Inspired by interviews with other women succeeding in poultry, she decided to start again – this time in agriculture.
“Being a woman in agriculture means an opportunity to penetrate the commercial market,” she says.
That leap of faith gave birth to Karabi Projects, the agribusiness she co-owns today. Based across Rietvlei and Phokeng, her enterprise focuses on egg production, broilers and seasonal vegetable crops. Jennifer manages 2 400 laying hens (a mix of Lohmann Brown and Hy-Line Brown), seasonal broiler batches and a flourishing spinach and onion field currently covering one hectare of her eight-hectare landholding.
But Karabi Projects is more than just a farm, it is a space of learning and upliftment. Jennifer employs 10 people and mentors 12 interns, many of whom are referred by local mining companies. These young people are trained in egg-laying systems, vegetable production and basic agri-business skills. It’s a living example of how agriculture can offer both economic and social returns.
Her poultry system uses cage housing with grading machines to sort eggs, ensuring product quality and client satisfaction. The farm brought in an estimated R420 000 in revenue in 2023, yet she remains grounded, aware of how much more can be done with the right support.
Also read: Itumeleng’s Nakedi Poultry Farm hosts launch of Basadi Temong Women’s Initiative
Farming in a Tough Market
Like many women in farming, Jennifer faces an uphill battle. Infrastructure challenges slow her expansion and a damaged cold room motor caused by a power surge has limited her ability to store fresh produce. Her vegetable unit lacks shade nets, prep-house space and pack tables, and some of her land is still overrun by weeds because of the cost of clearing and fencing. Still, she keeps going.
Her spinach and onions are sold through informal markets, and she maintains detailed records to stay organised and audit-ready. Social media and her business partner network play a crucial role in keeping her visible and competitive, particularly in a market where informal sellers often undercut prices.
Training has played a pivotal role in her growth. In 2022, Jennifer completed poultry and crop production courses at Dicla Training Centre and now pays it forward by mentoring others. She’s not just feeding people, she’s equipping the next generation of growers with skills that stick.
Bafokeng Women are Rising
Jennifer is part of a rising movement of women farmers in the Royal Bafokeng Nation who are asserting themselves across livestock, horticulture and agribusiness. These women are quietly dismantling barriers, introducing modern techniques, building market relationships and laying the groundwork for community transformation. Each story is different, but the thread that unites them is clear: agriculture is no longer just a man’s game, it’s a calling for anyone with the courage to commit.
Jennifer’s long-term vision is to establish an Agricultural Academy on her land, a space where young people, especially those from disadvantaged communities, can receive practical, hands-on training in farming. She envisions a future where more women enter the sector, not as subsistence growers, but as commercial leaders.
“Agriculture is about commitment, passion, patience and the willingness to learn,” she reflects.
Also read: Bayer celebrates women in agriculture
A Legacy in the Making
Jennifer Modisakeng’s farm may be young, but her vision is deeply rooted. Every layer of her journey, from retrenchment to building a poultry business to mentoring interns, speaks to the power of resilience and reinvention.
“I want to be remembered through my contribution to the community, creating opportunities and transferring skills to future generations.”
That legacy is already unfolding in the fields of Phokeng, in the lives of the youth she mentors and in the eggs and spinach that reach tables every week.
As South Africa continues to champion women’s participation in agriculture, stories like Jennifer’s remind us that true impact grows from the ground up.
Also read: Claiming space, shaping futures: MEC Ramokgopa’s call at the Women and Young Entrepreneurs Awards 2025
