By Mzukona Mantshontsho
It’s important to encourage the youth through examples to aspire and pursue their own paths, to further developing their own skills to earn a living, be better citizens and FUTURE Leaders!
We live in a country where the latest unemployment statistics from Statistics South Africa suggested that the unemployment rate 33.9% South Africans. This figure was reduced by the increase in informal businesses in our communities. With two thirds of the population in South Africa being the youth, the youth is mostly affected by unemployment.
I recently spoke to Niche Farmer Zama Ncwane about het farming journey thus far.
Tell us about your Early Life
I do not have any formal education in the farming field that I am in. My immediate family or extended family does not own any land anywhere in the world. So, all of this is very new to me ALL OF IT.
What does your role entail?
We are still a new business, so my role is to work hard, be a good example to my children and a motivation to the staff. I don’t have a business background, so I am learning a lot from others and willing to do things out of my comfort zone and put in the time for learning.
What can we expect from you going forward?
I always show up. Whether I am sick, tired, sad, upset, whatever life throws at me I will wake up and I will show up.
I am all about working hard so that I can employ more people and eventually be able to run things remotely so that I can spend time with my children.
What words of wisdom do you have for young people to take up farming as a business?
Know why you started in the first place,
Show up daily not only when you feel like it, and
Work hard, get your hands dirty.
What do you say to young people to start businesses, particularly the girl child?
Having a 22-year son, I can tell you that in my view, young people need time and patience to figure it all out. There is just too much pressure for them to succeed that they are willing to take short cuts to impress which is where the problem begins. My advice is that “while you trying to figure it all out, stay busy”, work at a restaurant, wash cars, sell something, do sports, jog, walk a dog and BE CONSISTENT WITH IT. Whatever it is, stay busy and during your busy it WILL come. The frustration is staying at home doing nothing while you trying to figure it all out.
When you not at work, what do you get up to, and where can people follow you or your business online?
I believe in routine, so awake at 03:30 am Monday to Saturday. When I am off work, I am with my children 24/7. I am not big on social media even though I do have handles and so there is not much to follow or should I say nothing you can follow.
