Mfanzile Maseko: Driving Rural Development and Job Creation Through Inkaba Farming Project

Mfanzile Maseko, 36, is transforming agriculture into a tool for economic growth in South Africa’s rural areas through his venture, Inkaba Farming Project. Based in Mooiplaas, Gert Sibande District Municipality, Maseko has built a farming enterprise that includes piggery, broiler production, cattle farming, maize cultivation, and a variety of vegetable plantations. His work demonstrates how one person’s vision and determination can create jobs and unlock economic potential in rural communities.

Maseko’s passion for farming began in 2019 when he saw untapped agricultural opportunities in his home area. “After working for some time, you realise the potential that exists in the rural areas that we come from,” he explained. He observed that many rural residents do not fully utilise the land around them, and he wanted to use farming not only to generate income but also to tackle unemployment.

To realise his vision, Maseko approached the local traditional leadership and secured permission to use 30 hectares of tribal land. He started with broilers and pigs, building a poultry house with a capacity for 1 500 chickens per cycle and selling produce to local communities. “Farming is one of the things that we can do in these areas to generate an income and create employment opportunities,” he said. Despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and swine flu, Maseko persevered and continued to grow the project.

Maseko reached a major milestone in 2021 when the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development granted him a lease on a 1 000-hectare farm. He expanded into vegetable farming, producing green peppers, chillies, paprika, okra, and pumpkin. He also strengthened market access by selling to fresh produce markets in Nelspruit and Witbank, as well as retail shops and smaller local markets, ensuring the farm remained financially sustainable.

In 2022, Maseko leveraged support from the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) to further develop the farm. After attending a week-long business development course, he secured funding to build a nursery and purchase equipment, which now produces seedlings for the farm and neighbouring growers. These steps reinforced Maseko’s commitment to both agriculture and community development.

Maseko’s dedication is further shown by his decision in December 2025 to leave a 15-year career in mining to focus entirely on farming. A qualified auto electrician with a diploma in electrical engineering from Tshwane South College, he now applies both technical and managerial skills to grow Inkaba Farming Project. The farm currently employs five permanent staff members, with plans to expand further and create more jobs in the region.

Looking ahead, Maseko remains determined to scale the project and maximise its impact. “I need to make this work and create jobs because there is a demand for jobs in this country,” he said. His work highlights the power of individual initiative in driving rural development and shows how one determined entrepreneur can transform the economic landscape of a community. Through Mfanzile Maseko’s leadership, Inkaba Farming Project exemplifies the potential of rural farming to create sustainable livelihoods, strengthen local economies, and inspire others to pursue agriculture as a path to empowerment and growth.