Hazile Group, a South African agribusiness focused on sustainable food systems, renewable energy, and water stewardship

Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi is a social entrepreneur and thought leader in climate resilience, and a 2025 Veuve Clicquot Bold Future Award finalist. She leads Hazile Group, a black woman-led enterprise driving climate-smart solutions in agriculture, energy, and water. The company’s core mission is to address food insecurity, water scarcity, and energy transition while uplifting marginalised communities. Hazile's focus on rural development, empowering farmers, and integrating climate-smart technologies directly supports several UN Sustainable Development Goals, notably zero hunger, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, and climate action. She also runs Acumind Consulting, guiding organisations toward inclusive, values-driven leadership and ESG strategies.

Lioness Weekender spoke to Dr. Phindi Cebekhulu-Msomi about her entrepreneurial journey to date and her vision for the future.

When did your start your business?

Hazile Group was officially started in 2018, though we had a forced stop during Covid and restarted again in 2022. The idea for the business was seeded long before that, shaped by lived experiences and a desire to build solutions for food security, women’s empowerment, and climate resilience.

What does your company do?

Hazile Group is a South African climate-smart agribusiness focused on sustainable food systems, renewable energy, and water stewardship. We grow and process herbs—both fresh and dried as well as some condiments—and are currently expanding into functional foods and herbal teas under the Hazile Dried Spices line. We also innovate in eco-farming with modular systems which uses recycled and solar-integrated materials to grow food in low-resource areas. We also empower women and youth in agriculture through training and an entrepreneurship programme.

What inspired you to start your company?

It was a mix of purpose, necessity, and lived insight. After experiencing job loss and personal loss, I saw an opportunity to turn pain into purpose by creating a business that not only sustains livelihoods, but also addresses climate change and gender equity. I wanted to create something that would outlive me—something rooted in restoration.

What makes your business, service or product special?

Our business is built on systems thinking—we don’t offer just a product, but an integrated solution. Our herbs are grown using hydroponics, pesticide and chemical-free methods. Our dried product range is traceable from seed to shelf, and our Eco-Farm Pods embody circular design, technology, and accessibility. What makes us different is our focus on regeneration—of land, livelihoods, and leadership.

Tell us a little about your team

We’re a small but purpose-driven team. I lead strategy and business development. We have an Operations & Production Manager, a part-time finance & partnership lead, and a sales support lead. Our water and energy specialists work with us on a project basis. Everyone is aligned with our mission: to build scalable, community-centred solutions that empower women and restore ecosystems.

Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?

Entrepreneurship was not something I inherited—it was something I grew into through necessity, courage, and deep learning. My background is in Industrial Psychology and Business, but my journey has been shaped by experience: losing my husband, becoming a mother of four, facing setbacks, and choosing to build something meaningful from those moments. Along the way, I completed an MBA and a DBA, with my doctoral research focused on how women can leverage technology to farm sustainably and grow their businesses.

What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?

We are scaling the Eco-Farm Pod innovation, expanding our dried food and functional product lines, and working to establish a training and research hub for women in climate-smart agriculture. We’re also engaging with policy through platforms like the G20/B20 and looking at export opportunities that uplift African produce and innovation globally.

What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?

Knowing that my work contributes to real change—when I see a woman grow her own crops from our systems, or when a young person learns how food, water, and energy can coexist sustainably. It’s about legacy, dignity, and seeing the future in motion.

What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?

Start where you are—don’t wait for perfection. Let your purpose guide your process, and build in alignment with your values. Find your tribe: women who uplift, challenge, and walk beside you. And remember, impact is as important as income—build something that matters.

To find out more, send an email to admin@hazilegroup.co.za or visit the company’s website and social media platforms:

Website: https://www.hazilegroup.co.za/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hazilegroup/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hazile_group/