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KZN farmer wins provincial entrepreneur award

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A leading female KwaZulu-Natal farmer has been honoured with the “Female Entrepreneur of the Year” award at the KZN Female Entrepreneur Awards, hosted by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Smangele Maria Gumede, 56, who resides in Nkwalini Valley, near Eshowe in northern KZN, said her inspiration to farm came from her grandmother who taught her how to plant sunflowers, sorghum and mielies.

The awards recognise the outstanding work of women in the male-dominated agricultural sector.

“In 2007, Tongaat Hulett was appointed by government to be our strategic partner at Intathakusa Farm in Nkwalini Valley where we harvest sugarcane and citrus. The sugarcane harvested on this farm is supplied to Tongaat Hulett,” says Gumede.

“My husband and I are most grateful to have benefited from free training sessions provided by Tongaat Hulett who have always encouraged us to pursue our dreams.”

Gumede and her husband have been farming sugarcane and citrus at Intathakusa Farm for the past 10 years, while their son assists with harvesting sugarcane in the Amatikulu area in northern KZN.

“Much of my experience was gained when living on Intathakusa Farm, although a mentor from Tongaat Hulett imparted invaluable knowledge on how to apply fertiliser and herbicides, the process of irrigation and soil sampling,” added Gumede.

She said she would be thrilled to have her nine children join the family farming team once they completed their university studies.

“I am thrilled to have won the award out of hundreds of farmers in KZN. The highlight of the evening for me was meeting and engaging with Themba Mthembu, KZN MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development. I also had the opportunity to meet various officials from other provinces,” says Gumede.

Further inspiration to farm stems from the job opportunities her farming operations will create, especially for upcoming farmers.

She cited some of the challenges experienced as the lack of readily available funding, outdated equipment, maintenance of the farm, drought and heavy storms, irrigation equipment and cable theft and market price fluctuation in the sugar industry.

Meanwhile, the African Agri Investment Indaba 2017, with the stated aim of providing a gateway to investment opportunities in Africa’s agri sector, began at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Monday.

The three-day indaba, sponsored by the Western Cape Investment and Trade Promotion Agency (Wesgro) and the Western Cape provincial government, welcomed leaders in the agricultural economy from around the world, with speakers and representatives from 30 countries.

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