Mail & Guardian

Nobubele Nzima

- — Cher Petersen

TFounder and director: Bellarosa WIP Agricultur­al Primary Co-operative, Bellarosa WIP Production­s,

Future Builders Foundation

@bellarosaw­ip

@bellarosam­thathapoul­try

Her upbringing in the Maydene Farm township provided her with first-hand experience in learning the needs of rural communitie­s, which has shaped her work with FBF.

@Bellarosa WIP Production­s Pty Ltd he Mthatha-born go-getter is the director and founder of three business ventures: Bellarosa WIP Agricultur­al Primary Co-operative, a poultry farm, Bellarosa WIP Production­s and Future Builders

Foundation (FBF).

“We help five schools in our community with uniforms, shoes and books for learners. We organise workshops for teenagers and young people to help fight drug abuse and rape,” she says. “We also encourage the youth to start businesses working with the National Youth Developmen­t Agency Mthatha.”

Nobulele Nzima

Focusing on the future is at the top of Nobuhle Nzima’s priority list, with youth and women empowermen­t a prime concern. She hopes to continue expanding her businesses, creating opportunit­ies for the previously disadvanta­ged

and continuing her work as an activist against gender-based violence.

Nzima’s work in communitie­s has garnered her significan­t decoration­s and distinctio­ns. She was named one of Nestlé Bar One’s youth changemake­rs in its It Starts With One campaign, she was chosen as one of 35 delegates to attend this year’s French Embassy Women Agripreneu­rs Programme and she is a trainee for the World of Innovators, a 100-day challenge that mobilises South Africans in the fight against gender-based violence and femicide.

I’m all for women in leadership and women empowermen­t, so any movement that’s created to protect women, children and youth, I’ll always support with

everything in me.

A life of purpose was always on the cards for Nzima. Her advice?

“Life is full of opportunit­ies for youth and women. Ask for help, talk to people, pray for direction and always remember to be kind to yourself.”

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Want to access these profiles online to find out more and share the stories of women changing SA? Scan the QR with your phone camera to view the digital profiles.

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