After graduating with a Diploma in Public Relations from Springfield College, Durban, in 2020, Mfusi of Wakkerstroom, Mpumalanga, found herself struggling to secure a job in South Africa’s tough job market. However, she didn’t let the challenges hold her back.
“Jobs are scarce in South Africa, and I never had an opportunity to work in the field I studied for,” she shared. “So, in 2021, I decided to register my farming business to earn an income and create jobs.”
Today, she is the proud owner of Mphezulu Farm, a mixed farming enterprise specializing in vegetable production, livestock, grain, and poultry. Her farm produces a variety of vegetables such as spinach, cabbage, butternut, pumpkin, jam squash, potatoes, carrots, and beetroot.
In addition to farming, her business has a food processing component that produces sauces and spices. She sells her products to both formal and informal markets, including SUPERSPAR Volksrust, local supermarkets, schools, clinics, and community members.
Farming runs deep in her family, with her love for it rooted in childhood memories of watching her grandmother’s farming business. Mfusi’s journey was also supported by her mother, who bought a 100-hectare farm for her in 2003, ensuring she had a place to grow her dreams.
In 2023, her business received 1,000 chickens and chicken feed from the Masibuyele Esibayeni Programme, a provincial government initiative that supports livestock farmers in Mpumalanga. Before this, she only managed around 200 chickens per cycle.
Thanks to her hard work and dedication, Mphezulu Farm has created five permanent jobs and hires additional staff during peak production times. Mfusi’s journey shows that with determination, one can turn adversity into opportunity, creating a positive impact on their community.
