According to the South African Department of Agriculture, women occupy about 20% of the broader agricultural sector. However, gender-disaggregated data for the hemp industry is not yet available. Mmathapelo Gosebo represents a rare example of a woman who is not only participating in agriculture but is also adding value through hemp processing.
By Lesiba Pertunia Mailula, Siphe Zantsi and Meshack Mofokeng from the Agricultural Research Council (ARC)
In the north of Pretoria, Hammanskraal, Mmathapelo is not just farming, she is also formulating, measuring oils, blending herbs, and testing textures and scents. She is part farmer, part scientist and part healer. In a country still finding its footing in the cannabis economy, Mmathapelo represents a new kind of agricultural entrepreneur – a woman adding value, creating products and building a vision rooted in both science and community.
Born in Mahikeng, Mmathapelo describes herself simply as “team-oriented, kind-hearted and ethical”. She is currently based in the City of Tshwane, where her journey with hemp has grown into a small but ambitious processing business focused on hemp- and cannabis-derived cosmetics and wellness products.
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About the Farm and Farming Methods
Mmathapelo runs her business from Ityoppya Farm, a 23.9ha farm located at Plot 34 of Portion 93, Welgevonden, in the Dinokeng area. The farm is surrounded by natural landscapes, making it a unique place for growing hemp. Her operation has grown steadily. By 2025, Ityoppya Farm had the capacity to grow more than 1 000 hemp plants under netted shade. In the 2026 season, the farm expanded further, adding 100 000 square feet of growing space. Currently, more than 4 250 hemp plants are being cultivated. But to Mmathapelo, growth is not only about size, it’s also about organic and sustainable farming. “We grow our plants organically, using few or no chemicals,” she says. “We try to work with nature, not against it.”
She uses compost and living soil, and reuses plant waste as mulch. Hemp leftovers are also used as bedding for chickens, whose manure is then used to improve the soil. This helps reduce waste and keeps the farm healthy. She also uses natural feeding methods and waters carefully to keep plants strong and prevent disease.
Discovering Hemp
Mmathapelo’s interest in hemp began long before it became legal in South Africa. “At school, we learnt that hemp makes the world’s strongest rope,” she recalls. “When legalisation came, I did more extensive research and since we had land available, we decided to try something new.” But this was not just about trying a new crop. What truly motivated her was a growing awareness of the therapeutic potential of cannabis. She saw a niche market for cannabis-derived products that could help manage symptoms related to epilepsy, fibromyalgia, seizures, cancers, cysts, tumours, glaucoma, hormonal disorders and more. “When cannabis became legal, I didn’t see it as a risk,” she says. “I saw it as an opportunity.”
Also read: L&P Zwane Foundation pioneers indigenous language hemp training
From Farming to Processing
Mmathapelo not only grows hemp, she also processes it herself. At Ityoppya Farm, hemp seeds are pressed to make cannabidiol (CBD) seed oil. This oil is then mixed with natural carrier oils and African herbs to create her wellness products, such as Sleep Oil, Heal Oil, Help Oil, T-Cell Oil and Pain Oil. For creams, soaps and body butters, hemp plant material is infused into oils and blended into skincare products. Even her shampoo contains hemp oils.
By controlling both farming and processing, Mmathapelo ensures that her products are natural, safe and high-quality. In an industry where many farmers only sell raw plants, Mmathapelo stands out by turning her hemp into finished products that people can use every day.
Among her most prized formulations are:
- Sleep Oil – used for cysts, tumours, thyroid and brain-related conditions;
- Heal Oil – for fibromyalgia, heart issues and diabetes;
- T-Cell Oil – used alongside antiretrovirals (ARVs) to improve appetite and reduce oxidative stress;
- African Potato Salve – for pain, inflammation, acne and skin conditions; and
- BumpLump Cream – a topical product for lipomas and cysts, especially for people who cannot consume cannabis because of work restrictions.
Her pride is not just in the products themselves, but in their purpose. “This is not just about beauty,” she says. “It’s about creating precise formulations to assist specific symptoms.”
A Woman in a New Industry
For Mmathapelo, being a woman in hemp processing has been both challenging and empowering. “At first, I didn’t even know how to plant hemp,” she admits. “It’s not like dealing with flowers. This is about manufacturing a precise product that includes cannabis in a specific way.” Over time, she learnt through experience, training and partnerships. She has completed specialised courses, including medical cannabis training and hemp production programmes with the Agricultural Research Council (ARC). “It’s a new experience every day,” she says, “but I’ve grown with it.”
Also read: South African cannabis leaders share technical know-how at Gaborone conference
Educating the Market
One of Mmathapelo’s biggest roles is education. Her customers include pharmacies, taxi-rank vendors, neighbours, holistic practitioners and online clients. But almost every sale comes with a lesson. “Every time I sell a product, I educate the customer,” she explains. “We talk about the difference between hemp and marijuana, how to use the product safely, what not to mix it with, and possible side effects.” She even runs a WhatsApp group called MOWC23 (Moving On With Cannabis 23), where she educates more than 100 participants on legal cultivation, permits, pest management and cannabis culture.
The Reality of the Business
Despite her innovation, the financial reality has been tough. Hemp processing has not yet transformed her income. “We are still using our own finances,” she says. “At first, I thought this was just growing weed, no fertiliser, no costs. But now I have to buy inputs, pay labour and cover all operating costs.”
She currently employs three team members on the ground, works with a partner and hires seasonal labourers when needed. Although she has not experienced major problems with the regulations, her biggest challenge is the practical side of the business, especially transporting and delivering her products. Current laws prevent courier transport of cannabis products, forcing her to hand-deliver every order. “This makes delivery chaotic and expensive,” she says.
Her Hemp Business Vision
Looking ahead, Mmathapelo’s vision is bold and uniquely African. She dreams of opening a cannabis consumption space that blends wellness, culture and tourism. “A real cannatourism experience,” she says. “Hotels should offer cannabis teas, CBD spa treatments, massage oils, bath salts that are all locally produced.” She also hopes to collaborate on clinical trials that could allow cannabis-based local anaesthesia to be used in hospitals for both humans and animals.
Also read: How hemp bricks could transform SA housing – UJ researchers
A Message to Policymakers
When asked what she would say to policymakers, Mmathapelo’s response is clear and critical. “Hemp and cannabis laws are not centralised in South Africa. You don’t know who regulates what, who you report to, who protects workers or who manages waste. It makes investment risky and confusing.” She calls for clear governance, consumer awareness structures, occupational safety guidelines and a central cannabis authority. “Without this, people like me are working in uncertainty.”
Advice to Other Women
Mmathapelo’s advice to women interested in hemp processing is simple. “Try it. You will like it, especially tasting your final product.” Behind the humour lies a deeper truth. Hemp is not just a crop, it’s a platform for innovation, healing and economic inclusion. In Mmathapelo’s hands, hemp becomes more than a plant. It becomes a story of resilience, learning and possibility, one formulation at a time.
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