From Family Farm to Agripreneur Powerhouse: How 27-Year-Old Neo Siphesihle Mdluli is Changing the Farming Game

Growing up amidst the rolling fields and bustling barns of her family farm in Zuurbekom, Neo Siphesihle Mdluli never imagined she would become one of the Eastern Cape’s rising agripreneurs. Yet, for someone who learned to grow vegetables from seeds her grandmother dried at home, the leap from farm life to business innovation was a natural one.

At just 27, Neo is the founder of Mdluli Agri-Ventures, an enterprise she started in 2022 to produce high-quality vegetables using hydroponic tunnels, alongside plans to expand into animal production. Her journey is rooted in nostalgia and passion: “My love for agriculture comes from watching my grandma dry pumpkin seeds, can peaches, air-dry chilies, and make blackberry jam. These memories shaped who I am today.”

In 2023, Neo’s venture received a game-changing boost when she leased 10 hydroponic tunnels at Westonaria Agripark through the Randwest City Local Municipality. Today, Mdluli Agri-Ventures grows spinach, mustard spinach, and lettuce in winter and tomatoes and Hubbard squash in summer, with a goal of producing tomatoes year-round.

Turning Challenges Into Opportunities

The road hasn’t always been smooth. In the summer of 2023, Neo faced harvest losses due to limited labor, scarce production inputs, and lack of timely advice. Transportation hurdles and seasonal constraints tested her resilience. Yet, the lessons of growing up on a family farm—hard work, patience, and adaptability—kept her focused.

Neo emphasizes the importance of timely support: “Farming is seasonal. If help arrives too late, a whole year’s profit can be lost. Early intervention is critical.”

Digital Farming: Social Media as a Growth Engine

Neo leverages WhatsApp, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) to interact with customers, share product updates, and connect with the farming community. “Social media has opened doors I never imagined, allowing me to influence and engage with other young farmers while growing my business,” she says.

Impact Beyond Business

Mdluli Agri-Ventures isn’t just about profit—it’s about community transformation. The venture offers an NQF Level 1 Learnership Programme in Plant Production in partnership with AgriSETA, employing 20 young people, mostly youth and women. Through this program, Neo is training the next generation of agripreneurs while inspiring others in the Randwest City Region.

Neo has also committed to continuous learning, attending workshops on business management, marketing, financial literacy, plant production, and waste management to ensure her venture grows sustainably.

A Message to Young Farmers

Reflecting on her journey, Neo shares:

“Four years ago, I quit my job as an administrator and took a massive risk. I was terrified, but I believed in the vision. Today, that risk has led to the most rewarding opportunities of my career. Trust the process and take the first step.”

Her advice to aspiring agripreneurs:

“Surround yourself with the best, learn from them, and believe in your own potential. To be the best, first recognize that it’s possible—and then swim alongside the big fish.”

Neo Siphesihle Mdluli proves that passion, resilience, and innovation can turn a family farm upbringing into a thriving agricultural enterprise—and inspire a generation of young farmers to follow in her footsteps.