Startup Story
Tumelo Tshwagong is a co-owner of Tshwagong Farm, a family-owned business focused on livestock and Indigenous vegetable farming, and located in Koster in the Northwest province of South Africa. Tumelo is a passionate female farmer devoted to cultivating change from the ground up. Tshwagong Farm was established in 2021 with Tumelo at the helm as a Managing Director, supported by a team of four. Her work goes beyond farming as she sees it as a form of preservation, a movement to reignite ancestral food sources and confront the growing crisis of food insecurity. She passionately believes that every seed she plants, every field she tends, carries the vision of a resilient, self-sustaining future.
LoA spoke to the enterprising Tumelo Tshwagong about her passion for farming and her vision of building community based agribusiness solutions to address the impact of climate change and leave a sustainable farming legacy for future generations.
What does your company do?
We breed and grow livestock (cattle for beef production and pigs for pork production). We are also in the process of starting our indigenous crops and vegetables production.
“Our business is set to reignite traditional food sources that carry generations of knowledge, nutrition, and resilience.”
“Rising up every morning with a purpose, knowing that my hands carry stories of heritage, hope, and the promise of harvest, gives me satisfaction. This is not just my work, this is my calling.”
What inspired you to start your company?
The company was started to build a legacy for our children; however, the vision has now grown beyond that. My journey is now deeply intertwined with the belief that our indigenous food systems hold the wisdom to nourish both people and the planet. By growing climate-smart vegetables and advocating for sustainable farming techniques, I strive to preserve the integrity of our soil and protect the generations to come from the effects of climate change.
What makes your business, service or product special?
Our business is set to reignite traditional food sources that carry generations of knowledge, nutrition, and resilience. This positions our work at the intersection of culture and sustainability, giving our customers more than food - they are consuming history and healing. By focusing on nutrient-dense indigenous crops and ethical livestock practices, we are addressing one of South Africa’s biggest challenges. Our approach is practical, local, and deeply empowering.
Tell us a little about your team
The farm is mostly managed by me with the assistance of my husband as a co-owner. We have two additional full-time employees who take care of the day-to-day general work at the farm. As part of the business support, we have our daughter who assists with strategic planning and marketing, an Agronomist as an adviser, as well as a mentor.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
I am a first-generation farmer, from a medical background. I left the corporate world 5 years ago to take up entrepreneurship full-time. I dedicated myself to learning with every opportunity to understanding the industry and the business of agriculture. I completed piggery and beef production management training, together with a food safety and processing course. I also participate in various business and agricultural programme cohorts such as the Gracha Machel Women Creating Wealth Programme, African Ignite Women in Agriculture, and the African Food Change Makers BRACE programme.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
My plan is to dive deeper into cultivating a diverse range of indigenous plants. I also plan to build a thriving food ecosystem that respects tradition while feeding the future. Another aspiration is to later develop our farm to be an Agri-hub to host Agri tourism events, welcoming visitors to experience the African adventure of indigenous food production - a hub where aspiring farmers learn hands-on skills, sustainable techniques, climate-smart innovations, and indigenous crop expertise. I would also like to create a Farm-to-Table Product Line Package and sell our products, such as indigenous grains, fresh vegetables, seeds and ethically raised meat, under our own brand. The aim is also to collaborate with Environmental & Food Security Projects Partners, NGOs, universities, and government programs that share our mission.
“Knowing that solving real problems such as tackling food insecurity, preserving soil health, and mentoring youth is not just a business strategy, it is an act of service. Each solution I offer leaves the world a little better.”
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
Rising up every morning with a purpose, knowing that my hands carry stories of heritage, hope, and the promise of harvest, gives me satisfaction. This is not just my work, this is my calling. Knowing that I am not just planting crops or raising livestock, I am creating a legacy, empowering our community, and challenging systems that overlook indigenous knowledge and female leadership. Knowing that solving real problems such as tackling food insecurity, preserving soil health, and mentoring youth is not just a business strategy, it is an act of service. Each solution I offer leaves the world a little better.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
The world may not hand you a seat at the table, so build your own table, and fill it with others who believe in what you’re creating. You don’t need a big budget, fancy equipment, or all the answers. What you need is to belief in your vision and the courage to take that first imperfect step. The journey is long with lots of speed bumps, but it's not an excuse not to start. Buckle up and hit the road. Do your research, ask questions, network, try and fail. Every experience will shape your wisdom and your edge. Most of all look for other women to empower and work with - we don't compete, but we collaborate for growth and sustainability.
Find out more
Email: tltshwagong@gmail.com
Your Facebook Page URL: http://www.facebook.com/share/16x1sJ9svM/?mibextid=wwXIfr
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/tshwagong-farm/
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/mmr_piggery?igsh=MXdqajV2NnYzczducQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Why LoA loves it…
Every business needs a vision and a mission in order to succeed. But in the case of agripreneur Tumelo Tshwagong, she is driven to by a bigger goal, to build a business that can make a real and lasting contribution to finding sustainable local solutions to addressing food insecurity, leaving a lasting legacy for others to follow in her footsteps. Her belief that our indigenous food systems hold the wisdom to nourish both people and the planet, means that growing climate-smart produce and advocating for sustainable farming techniques, she is safeguarding the future for the next generation. Inspirational! — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa