Siphindile Hlengwa, Director: Ndlovukazi Agriculture Multipurpose, South Africa

Jul 24, 2024

Please tell us your name, where your business is located and what is it that you do?

My name is Siphindile Phumelele Hlengwa and I am the founding director of Ndlovukazi Agriculture Multipurpose PTY LTD. Our smallholder farm is located in the South of Durban in an area of Imfume. At Ndlovukazi we focus on primary crop production with the aim to provide quality vegetables and grains. We offer agriculture business development workshops and trainings that empower individuals to become stewards of their own agricultural journeys. We also believe in participating in the up-skilling of young people within the agriculture space hence we in-service trainees that are a part of our team.

Tell us about how you got started.

Agriculture has always fascinated my Mother and I but I only began the business shortly after my she passed away. I was going through a turbulent period with my grief and when I started working with the soil I began healing. I also felt that utilizing my inheritance in a manner that would have made her proud was a good choice hence I immersed myself in building our dream. During my first years of being a farmer, my Father became a steady supportive structure until date. He may not have been a farmer by profession but today he has become an integral part of the operations of our farm. Agriculture needs stability and strength to begin and continue. It is such a slow burn type of business because at times you only see the outcome of your labour after months or even longer so having a supportive base is extremely helpful.

What makes your company unique?

I believe that the essence of our company is embedded in certain core values which emphasis the development of the people we serve. We may be a profit making company but we are also about improving the economy through increasing local gross domestic product, improving the quality of affordable food, investing in a more skilled workforce, promoting farming by delving into local civil society initiatives, and empowering women, youth, and people living with disability by offering job security. 

No business is without setbacks, can you tell us about a time when you faced a significant setback and how you recovered from it?

During 2022, we faced a massive setback due to adverse weather conditions and almost all our crops were affected. This resulted in wasted resources and a production plan that had to be put on hold. We then devised a strategy to decrease costs by producing our own seedlings and planting more crops that had a lower risk of being affected by the weather. Cash crops like beans have a higher risk as compared to crops like yams so coupling different crops according to their risk factor allowed us to at least be sure that regardless of the weather, we will be able to harvest a crop that will yield good results. Primary crop farming requires patience and a fierce passion. My Father usually says that it’s a non-accredited MBA course, very expensive due to the costs incurred during the phases of growth but you learn so much along the way.

How do you define success and to what do you attribute your success?

I used to think success was purely about hard work and dedication but I have realised that it is also about strategic marketing, intentional networking, self-development, administrative prowess, leading from the front, on the ball management, and intuition. The power of positively reinforcing your ultimate business goal is valid. Success is not just reaching the pinnacle of your business but it is also the small victories, the getting up in the morning when you just don’t want to, the moment when you also allow yourself to be overwhelmed because the dream you have is just that big and with big dreams comes big challenges. Regardless of which point you are at, the very fact that you are still holding onto the dream of achieving your vision and working towards it then you are on the path of success.

What's next for your business, what will it look like in 5 years?

As a primary crop farmer I plan to expand my business in a number of ways. I want to first focus on increasing my yield and have more produce in the upcoming years. As of now, we have farmed on 5 hectares and the plan is to expand onto our other arable portions whilst adding more crops on our list of produce. This is our horizontal expansion plan. Our vertical expansion plan incorporates processing our farmed produce which will add value to our brand and create more opportunities for the business.

What do you think the future holds for Africa-focused entrepreneurs and advice do you have for entrepreneurs who are just starting out?

I think Africa as a continent has the potential to be self-sufficient. We have the land to not only feed our continent but the world. This is an era where people have so many preferences and it is becoming a demand to meet the needs of the people. Technology is forever booming and with it comes access to markets and improved ways of operating on all angles within the business be it communication with the target groups or machinery on-site. My advice for agripreneurs is to be flexible and focus on supplying the demands of the people with quality that is affordable. Build partnerships that will add value to your brand and don’t shy away from those late nights doing administration. Learn about indigenous knowledge practices as well as they come in handy with some climate control measures and pest control techniques.

Owning a business while balancing a personal life can be challenging; how do you take care of yourself?

I am a workaholic but burning out defeats the purpose of my need to achieve my goals. I have learned to delegate and be okay with taking time out to rejuvenate my aura. It is extremely important to be at your best when networking because people can sense if you are vibrating at a lower frequency. I am an artist at heart hence I write my poetry and short stories which calms me. I once read about the spheres of well-being and I always incorporate an activity that will develop my different spheres here and there. It helps balance me and allows me to keep track of my overall development. I know that sometimes running a business can be the only aspect of your life that defines you at that particular time but remember that you are so much more than that. Never stop exploring yourself.

What is your favorite quote or mantra?  What keeps you going?

I will stop when I am dead. When I face a challenge that threatens to deplete my peace of mind I just say hhhhaaaaa, I will stop looking for a way out of this when I am dead. When I am celebrating a milestone I always say, on to the next because I will stop when I am dead. Stopping for me equates to not having a direction, plan, or passion for anything. I am a person filled with passion or the objectives I wish to accomplish hence I will stop when I am dead. 

What is your favorite app or a business tool that you can't live without

Instagram – My achievements are posted and always motivate me Whatsapp – Easy communication with all my networks LinkedIn – Am beginning to appreciate it more and more. Canva – New to it but finding it pleasing for my designs.