Women in Farming

Women in Farming

The old saying "Behind every successful man there is a woman...' is old and out-of-date.

It is not about men or women anymore. It is about the integration of male and female qualities to bring about success.

The success of one individual is attributed to the support of the team behind them - partners, staff, colleagues, family and friends. We look at a few successful women in farming to celebrate August as Women's Month.

Women farmers in South Africa are involved in all aspects of farming ranging from fresh produce and fynbos to wagyu beef and beekeeping. Here we introduce a few and their advice to other farmers.

Thato Moagi (28) won the 2015 award for Limpopo's Young Farmer of the Year and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) Female Entrepreneur Awards commercial category. From her 50-ha farm in Limpopo she supplies fresh produce for Tshwane Fresh Produce and McCain Foods SA

Her advice: "Network. Work with, instead of against, people. Work with experts and use those networks to elevate your voice, knowing that you have that backing."

Megan Angus heads the marketing department of Woodview Gourmet Foods, a farming business in the Free State which pioneered the local breeding of Japanese Wagyu cattle.

"I believe women are level-headed... and make decisions not only to benefit the business but to uplift communities. I meet a lot of young people in need of mentorship. This shows that many young women are considering farming as a career."

Jacky Goliath grows fynbos in Paarl, Western Cape. What started as a side hustle in a friend's backyard garden grew to a 22-ha property. De Fynne Nursery now supplies fynbos, spekboom, fig and lemon trees, blueberries and lavender to Woolworths, commercial nurseries and wine estates.

Her love of plants was cultivated from an early age when as a little girl she helped in the family garden.

She advises consistency and dedication. "Plants don't take holidays, they need daily care and water even on Christmas day. If not, they will suffer and so will your business."

Beekeeper Mmabatho Morudi co-founded her farming company, the Village Market Africa in 2011 in Winterveldt, northwest of Pretoria.  

Her grandfather Dr Sam Motsuenyane's invitation to join him for a course in bee farming started her entrepreneurial farming career. Her company sets up bee farms in rural communities to assist farmers with bee pollination which improves their crops and yields.

She also established a mentorship programme Thuo Nala, supporting young people in rural communities who inherited land, to optimally utilise it."

"My inspiration to start my business came from knowing that I'm able to make my community and the world a better place."

Her advice to female agripreneurs?  "Playing small does not serve the world."