Lebogang Mashigo: The Woman Redefining Agriculture, One Egg at a Time

Lebogang Mashigo is more than a founder — she is a force. In a sector where resilience, innovation, and leadership are non-negotiable, Mashigo stands tall as an agripreneur, commercial farmer, public speaker, and philanthropist, shaping the future of South African agriculture with intention and impact.

As the visionary behind Eggsellent by Lebo, Mashigo represents a new generation of farmers: strategic, media-savvy, formally trained, and deeply committed to building scalable, sustainable food systems.

Mashigo’s leadership journey has long been recognised beyond the farm gates. In 2016, she was named among the Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans, affirming her influence as a young changemaker. She is also a Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Fellow, placing her among Africa’s most promising leaders, and was a finalist for the British She Inspires Award in 2022, celebrating women who are reshaping industries globally.

These accolades are not decorative — they reflect years of disciplined work, thought leadership, and a clear commitment to economic transformation through agriculture.

A Powerful Media Voice for Entrepreneurship

Mashigo understands that modern farming is not only about production — it is also about advocacy and visibility. She has been profiled in leading publications such as Sowetan and Poultry Bulletin, and featured on major broadcast platforms including SABC, CNBC Africa, and numerous national radio stations.

Through these platforms, she consistently champions entrepreneurship, women in agriculture, and youth participation in agribusiness, using her voice to shift perceptions and open doors for others.

Her credibility is reinforced by strong academic and technical foundations. Mashigo holds qualifications in Business & Entrepreneurship Development from Unisa, alongside specialised training in Table Eggs Production and Biosecurity Management through AgriSETA.

This blend of business acumen and technical expertise is evident in the operational excellence of Eggsellent by Lebo — a business built on data, systems, and precision.

Eggsellent by Lebo is the realisation of Mashigo’s vision for modern, scalable, and future-ready agriculture. The operation is a commercial laying farm with a capacity of 30,000 hens, designed to meet the demands of consistent, high-quality egg production.

What truly sets the farm apart is its fully environmentally controlled housing system, allowing precise management of temperature, airflow, and biosecurity — regardless of external weather conditions. This investment ensures optimal bird welfare and reliable, year-round production, positioning Eggsellent as a competitive player in South Africa’s commercial egg market.

Vertical Integration and Purposeful Ownership

Eggsellent by Lebo operates on a fully vertically integrated model, producing, grading, and packaging eggs on-site. This end-to-end control guarantees freshness, traceability, and uncompromised quality.

Equally significant is the business’s ownership structure. Eggsellent by Lebo is 100% women-owned, female-led, and youth-owned, reflecting Mashigo’s commitment to inclusive economic participation and leadership transformation within agriculture.

Mission and Vision

Mission:

To create a thriving environment where chicken layers can produce high-quality, nutritious eggs for valued customers.

Vision:

To become the preferred egg supplier across the South African region, recognised for quality, consistency, and ethical production.

In Lebogang Mashigo, South African agriculture finds not only a farmer, but a strategist, a storyteller, and a builder of systems that last. Eggsellent by Lebo is more than a brand — it is proof that when leadership, knowledge, and purpose align, agriculture becomes a powerful engine for national growth.