When conversations about youth employment take centre stage, agriculture is not always the first industry that comes to mind. Yet across South Africa a growing number of young women are proving that farming is not only a viable career path but also a powerful vehicle for entrepreneurship, job creation and community development.
By Maphuti Mongatane, business development manager at African Farming
This Youth Month, two women from Limpopo are demonstrating how determination, resilience and a passion for agriculture can transform lives while contributing to South Africa’s food security.
Petunia Molea
At just 36 years old, Petunia Molea has built a thriving agricultural enterprise from humble beginnings. Growing up in Gumbu Village near Musina she developed a love for farming through her mother whose passion for working the land inspired her own journey. What started as a small maize garden at home eventually grew into Godzwana General Farming, established in 2017 on a single hectare of land when Petinua was 27 years old.
Rather than waiting for opportunities to arrive, Petunia created her own. She reinvested the income from every harvest gradually expanding her operation from one hectare to five hectares. Today her tomatoes form part of the supply chain behind one of South Africa’s most recognisable household products – All Gold Tomato Sauce.
Her success extends beyond production. The business now provides employment for two permanent workers and 15 seasonal employees creating much-needed opportunities within her community.
Also read: She slept in a tent to build her pecan nut empire: Sibongile Mabasa’s journey of determination
Vhengani Ndou
Several kilometres away in Muswodi Village, another young woman is writing her own agricultural success story. At 32, Vhengani Ndou made a decision that surprised many. Despite qualifying as a boilermaker she chose farming as her future and established Onay Farming in 2019. Like many young entrepreneurs her journey was not without challenges. Accessing finance proved difficult and building a business from the ground up required patience, sacrifice and persistence. Yet she remained focused on her vision.
Today her farm employs five permanent staff members and around 30 seasonal workers. In addition to supplying tomatoes to Tiger Brands Ndou is helping shape the next generation of agricultural professionals by providing practical workplace experience to students from the University of Venda.
For both women farming has become more than a business. It has become a platform for creating opportunities for others. Their growth has been supported through the Tiger Brands Hulisani Agricultural Development Programme, an initiative designed to help emerging farmers improve productivity, strengthen sustainability and build businesses capable of long-term success.
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Tiger Brands Hulisani Agricultural Development Programme
Supporting emerging farmers is critical to both food security and economic development, says Maanda Milubi, Director of Enterprise Supplier Development and Transformation at Tiger Brands. “Young farmers have an important role to play in strengthening South Africa’s food security, creating jobs and contributing to economic growth,” says Maanda. “Through the Tiger Brands Hulisani Agricultural Development Programme we aim to provide emerging farmers with support that can help build sustainable businesses for the future and strengthen local agricultural value chains that support our business and the communities in which we operate.”
The stories of Molea and Ndou challenge many of the misconceptions often associated with agriculture. They demonstrate that farming is not simply about producing food but about entrepreneurship, leadership, innovation and economic participation. Perhaps most importantly, they serve as powerful examples for young women who may not yet see agriculture as a career worth pursuing.
Vhengani believes agriculture offers young people the opportunity to create a future on their own terms. “Agriculture offers young people the opportunity to build a future for themselves while creating opportunities for others. Success doesn’t happen overnight, but with patience, perseverance and a willingness to work hard, it is possible to build a sustainable business and make a lasting impact in your community,” she says.
Petunia shares a similar message. “Farming is not easy but with patience, commitment and hard work, it is possible to build something meaningful and create opportunities for yourself and others.” As South Africa searches for solutions to youth unemployment, rural development and food security, stories like these remind us that some of the answers are already growing in our fields.
The achievements of young women such as Petunia Molea and Vhengani Ndou deserve to be celebrated because they are proving that the future of farming is young, female and full of possibility.
Also read: She quit her job and now owns 133 cattle and 147 goats: Meet Tlhalefo Dithebe
