Award for KZN female farming entrepreneur
A LEADING female KwaZuluNatal 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 mealies. The award recognises the outstanding work of women in the male-dominated agricultural sector.
“In 2007, Tongaat Hulett was appointed by the government to be our strategic partner at Intathakusa Farm in Nkwalini Valley, where we harvest sugar cane and citrus. The sugar cane harvested on this farm is supplied to Tongaat Hulett,” said Gumede.
“My husband and I are most grateful to have benefited from the free training sessions provided by Tongaat Hulett, who have always encouraged us to pursue our dreams.”
Gumede and her husband have been farming sugar cane and citrus at Intathakusa Farm for the past 10 years, while their son assists with harvesting sugar cane 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 have 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, the MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development. I also had the opportunity to meet various officials from other provinces,” said Gumede.
She cited some of the challenges experienced as the lack of readily available funding, outdated equipment, maintenance of the farm, drought and heavy storms, irrigation equipment, cable theft, and market price fluctuations in the sugar industry.