How Sive Songo Is Growing an Industrial Hemp Business and Creating Opportunities in the Eastern Cape

South Africa’s agricultural sector is being transformed by a new generation of entrepreneurs who are embracing innovation while creating opportunities for rural communities. Among these emerging leaders is Sive Songo, the founder of Bonani Entities (Pty) Ltd, an industrial hemp farming enterprise based in Bengu Village in the Emalahleni Local Municipality of the Eastern Cape. As a young black woman entrepreneur, Sive is building more than a farming business because her vision focuses on creating employment, developing skills and contributing to sustainable rural economic development. Her journey reflects both the challenges and opportunities facing emerging farmers in South Africa’s growing industrial hemp industry. With support from the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency (ECRDA), her business has continued to expand despite difficult circumstances. During Women’s Month, Sive’s story highlights the important contribution that women are making to agriculture and rural development across the country.

Industrial hemp is increasingly recognised as one of the agricultural sectors with strong economic potential due to its wide range of commercial applications. Hemp can be used in industries including textiles, construction, food production, cosmetics, health products and manufacturing, creating opportunities throughout the agricultural value chain. As demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly raw materials continues to grow, industrial hemp offers farmers the chance to diversify their operations while entering emerging markets. Entrepreneurs such as Sive Songo are helping position the Eastern Cape as an important participant in this developing industry. By investing in industrial hemp production, they are contributing to agricultural innovation while supporting local economic growth. The expansion of this sector also creates opportunities for value addition and new rural enterprises.

For Sive, Bonani Entities represents far more than a commercial farming operation. She has built the business around a vision of creating lasting opportunities for people living in rural communities. According to Sive, her goal is not only to become one of the leading industrial hemp producers in the Eastern Cape but also to contribute meaningfully to rural development through job creation, skills development and agricultural innovation. This long-term vision reflects an understanding that successful farming businesses can become important drivers of local economic transformation. Creating employment and developing practical agricultural skills helps strengthen communities while encouraging young people to view agriculture as a viable career. Her commitment demonstrates how entrepreneurship can be combined with social impact to create sustainable development.

Like many emerging farmers across South Africa, Sive’s journey has not been without significant challenges. Limited access to finance remains one of the biggest barriers preventing many agricultural entrepreneurs from expanding their businesses and investing in modern farming infrastructure. In addition to financial constraints, rising production costs have placed increasing pressure on farming operations, making it more difficult for emerging producers to remain profitable. Bonani Entities also experienced a major setback when a devastating hailstorm caused significant damage to the farming enterprise. Extreme weather events continue to present serious risks for agricultural businesses, highlighting the importance of resilience and access to support during difficult periods. Despite these obstacles, Sive remained committed to rebuilding and pursuing the long-term growth of her business.

A major turning point came through the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency’s Structured Rural Finance Programme, which provided Bonani Entities with critical financial support. The loan funding enabled the business to invest in irrigation infrastructure, land preparation, fertilisers and labour, all of which are essential components of successful agricultural production. Reliable irrigation infrastructure improves production stability, particularly during periods of unpredictable rainfall, while proper land preparation supports healthier crop establishment. Access to quality fertilisers helps improve productivity, and sufficient labour ensures that farming operations continue efficiently throughout the production cycle. This targeted financial assistance allowed the business to recover from previous setbacks while continuing to work towards its long-term objectives. Strategic investment in emerging farmers strengthens agricultural productivity while supporting sustainable rural development.

The support provided through the Structured Rural Finance Programme extended beyond financial assistance alone. According to Sive, the programme demonstrated ECRDA’s confidence in emerging farmers and its commitment to supporting new agricultural industries capable of contributing to economic growth and job creation. Access to finance is often accompanied by increased confidence among entrepreneurs because it validates their business plans and provides the resources needed to implement them. Government agencies and development institutions play an important role in creating an environment where emerging farmers can grow sustainable businesses. By supporting innovative agricultural enterprises, these organisations encourage diversification within the agricultural sector while expanding opportunities for rural communities. Such partnerships are essential for building a more inclusive agricultural economy.

Sive has openly expressed her gratitude to the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency for supporting Bonani Entities during one of the most challenging periods in the company’s development. She explained that the funding arrived while the business was recovering from hailstorm damage, rising production costs and delayed income. Receiving assistance during this critical stage provided not only financial relief but also renewed confidence in the future of the enterprise. This type of timely intervention can determine whether an emerging business survives or struggles to continue operating. By providing practical support when it was needed most, ECRDA helped Bonani Entities remain focused on growth rather than recovery alone. The experience highlights the value of development finance programmes designed specifically for rural entrepreneurs.

The success of Bonani Entities also demonstrates the growing role of women in shaping South Africa’s agricultural future. Women entrepreneurs are increasingly leading innovative farming enterprises while contributing to food production, rural development and economic transformation. Their participation strengthens agricultural value chains by bringing fresh ideas, new leadership approaches and greater diversity to the sector. Supporting women in agriculture also creates wider social benefits by encouraging inclusive economic participation and inspiring future generations of entrepreneurs. Initiatives that provide women with access to funding, training and business development opportunities help unlock significant economic potential within rural communities. Sive’s achievements reflect the positive impact that women continue to make across South Africa’s agricultural landscape.

Industrial hemp farming also has the potential to create employment opportunities across multiple stages of production and processing. As businesses expand, they require workers for land preparation, planting, harvesting, processing, packaging and distribution. Additional employment can also be created through manufacturing and value-added industries that utilise hemp as a raw material. By developing the industrial hemp sector, South Africa can strengthen local value chains while reducing dependence on imported products. Emerging businesses such as Bonani Entities contribute to this broader vision by laying the foundation for future industrial growth within rural areas. Continued investment in the sector can support economic diversification while creating sustainable livelihoods.

As Women’s Month celebrates the achievements of women across different sectors, entrepreneurs like Sive Songo represent the determination, resilience and innovation driving positive change in rural South Africa. Through Bonani Entities, she has demonstrated that agricultural entrepreneurship can create opportunities that extend far beyond individual business success. Her vision of generating employment, developing skills and strengthening rural communities aligns with broader national goals of inclusive economic growth and sustainable agricultural development. The support provided by the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency through the Structured Rural Finance Programme has enabled the business to overcome significant challenges while continuing to pursue long-term growth. As Bonani Entities expands its industrial hemp operations, it stands as an inspiring example of how strategic partnerships, financial support and determined leadership can help build an inclusive and thriving rural economy for future generations.