Where tradition meets innovation

In the vibrant community of Klerksdorp in the North West Province, a dynamic young lady named Rethabile Ngwenya has become a beacon of inspiration.

Since 2021, Rea, as she is affectionately known, has been making her mark in the world of agriculture with unwavering determination and an enterprising spirit.

Rethabile’s journey began with a modest vegetable garden at her home, funded by savings from her NSFAS funds. She skilfully cultivated a variety of produce, including chillies, spinach, tomatoes, onions, herbs, and pumpkins.

Her passion and dedication soon transformed this small venture into a thriving business, allowing her to expand into livestock farming by adding chickens and goats.

Rea’s impact extends beyond her immediate farming endeavours. Through her initiative, “Raising a Girl and Boy Child in Farming,” she educates children as young as three about the importance of agriculture and the nutritional value of the food they consume. “I believe it’s important for children to learn about farming from a young age. This not only teaches them about farming but also about healthy eating,” says Rea.

In 2022, Rea’s hard work and perseverance paid off when she officially established her business, Reaoboka Agribusiness and Projects. Her motivation stems from a love for practical work and the satisfaction of seeing progress from her efforts.

“Farming has offered me valuable experiences. I have witnessed my personal growth and learned from my mistakes. While it can be challenging, as there are obstacles to overcome, farming does not always yield the desired results due to environmental factors such as weather and water availability. Additionally, it may not provide a consistent cash flow. However, it remains one of the most rewarding professions out there. My motto is to persevere and move forward,” Ngwenya shares.

Despite the challenges, Rea remains committed to self-improvement and continuous learning. She holds a qualification in Public Management from Vuselele TVET College and completed a Level 4 course in Animal Production. Her dedication to education is further demonstrated by the short courses she has taken in assessments, corporate governance, and SANBS training.

Rea’s entrepreneurial spirit does not stop at traditional farming. She has ventured into agro-processing, creating Serrano chilli sauce from her homegrown chillies. I realised that while I’ve been growing chillies, not everyone enjoys them raw. This led to the creation of Serrano chili sauce. says Rea.

A proactive marketer, Rea maintains a strong presence on email, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X. Her dedication to networking and staying informed makes her a familiar face at seminars and events, constantly evolving and adapting to new opportunities.

Rethabile Ngwenya’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, innovation, and a passion for agriculture. She stands as a shining example to the youth of North West Province, proving that with hard work and determination, dreams can indeed become a reality.

Rethabile was recently featured in FoundHer Magazine – read it here

_{– SMME profile compiled by Karen Landsberg, NWDC Marketing division}

———–