South African Woman Transforms Family Garden into Thriving Agricultural Business

Lungile Mkhize's family garden in Edendale, Pietermaritzburg, has been transformed into a thriving agricultural business. The garden was initially a source of comfort for her late mother, Thembi Mkhize, who used it as a place of healing after being widowed. Lungile has continued her mother's legacy, turning the garden into Lugcwabe Agric Solutions, a registered mixed-farming business established in June 2026. The business produces a variety of vegetables, including spinach, lettuce, and green peppers.

Lungile's journey into agriculture began when she struggled with unemployment and financial difficulties. Despite having qualifications and work experience, she found herself unable to afford basic necessities. She drew on her administrative experience, agricultural training, and practical knowledge passed down by her mother to start the business. With limited resources, she began by using money she had received for airtime to purchase seedlings and started planting. Her efforts have since grown into a successful business, supplying members of her community, caterers, and a local restaurant.

Lungile's business operates entirely from her family yard, where she produces a range of vegetables. She uses social media to advertise her produce, allowing customers to place orders daily and arranging deliveries. Although she has not yet established formal production figures or calculated her monthly operating expenses, she continues to take orders and manage production according to customer demand. Her strongest product is spinach, which has a growing market. Lungile is also passionate about sharing her knowledge of agriculture with children and young people.

Lungile has been visiting children's homes to teach youngsters how to plant vegetables, recently taking the initiative to Ekujabuleni Children's Home. She hopes to work with schools that offer agriculture as a subject and provide opportunities for casual workers to gain practical agricultural experience. However, the business faces challenges that threaten production, including extreme temperatures and water shortages. Lungile has received a JoJo tank donation, but additional water storage facilities and materials to construct a greenhouse are still needed.

To improve her business's operations and packaging, Lungile is looking for resources to purchase equipment, including a laptop and a plastic sealing machine. She hopes to raise approximately R40,000 to support her business. Despite the challenges, Lungile is committed to continuing the values her mother instilled in the family. She recalled her mother's words of encouragement, reminding her to complete whatever she started to the best of her ability.

Lungile believes her parents would be proud of what she has achieved. Her father had left a message for her mother before his death, asking her to ensure that their children received the best education. Lungile went on to obtain a National Diploma in Public Management and is now building a business from the very garden that helped her mother through difficult times. She hopes to honour both her parents through the opportunities she creates.

Looking ahead, Lungile hopes to expand into poultry farming and food processing while creating more sustainable employment opportunities. Her business has already inspired children and young people to consider opportunities within the agricultural sector. As she continues to grow her business, Lungile remains committed to her mother's legacy and the values that have driven her to succeed.

Key points

• Lungile Mkhize's business, Lugcwabe Agric Solutions, produces a variety of vegetables, including spinach, lettuce, and green peppers.
• The business faces challenges, including extreme temperatures and water shortages, but Lungile is working to overcome these obstacles.
• Lungile is passionate about sharing her knowledge of agriculture with children and young people, and hopes to work with schools that offer agriculture as a subject.