Siblings revive business to taste success

Entrepreneurship

Gauteng siblings Noluthando (25) and Thando Zwane (33) are building a legacy of excellence in agriculture through their start-up, Sthaweni Farming. 

What began as a modest experiment on their family’s 10-hectare farm has grown into a thriving enterprise that is making waves in the agribusiness sector.

Sthaweni Farming, which specialises in planting, growing, harvesting, and processing vegetables, recently received the prestigious Rural-based Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises of the Year Award at the National Presidential SMME Awards. 

The recognition came with a R200,000 cash prize, a testament to the Zwanes’ hard work and determination.

“We’ve been in the agribusiness for eight years, but we have been running a professional enterprise for six years. It has been quite a journey with its ups and downs,” said Thando. 

Initially, Sthaweni Farming operated as a small-scale supplier of fresh herbs and vegetables, going door-to-door to sell their produce between 2016 and 2018. Today, the business has expanded significantly, with clients that include 10 Pick n Pay stores, Food Lovers Market, three Spar outlets, two restaurants, and several independent retailers. Discussions with a major retailer are also underway.

The farm’s produce list includes peppers, tomatoes, cabbage, spinach, butternut, onions, and coriander. The Zwanes’ operations are meticulous and efficient: they develop their own seedlings, transplant them, nurture them to maturity, and then harvest and deliver the produce to contracted clients.

Sthaweni Farming currently utilise three hectares of their family’s 10-hectare farm but plan to expand to five hectares by the end of the year and to the full 10 hectares by the end of next year.

“Our mother used to do cattle farming, but she has since moved on to other businesses,” Thando explains. 

“The farm was just idling when we started. My sister and I decided to experiment with it, using municipal water until we received a bill. From that experiment, the enterprise grew from strength to strength.”

The business employs nine staff members and places a strong emphasis on continuous learning. Thando, a retired footballer, has taken short courses in agriculture and business management to enhance his expertise.

“In agriculture, you learn something new every day, so we try to learn as much as we can along the way,” he said.

Winning the Presidential SMME Award has been a significant milestone for the business. “This has been our biggest stepping stone. Sharing the room with entrepreneurs, meeting people like Minister of Small Business Stella Ndabeni and President Cyril Ramaphosa, it was a blessing. We are really hopeful that this will open more doors for us,” he concluded.

For more information on Sthaweni Farming, visit www.sthaweni.co.za or send an email to info@sthaweni.co.za.