By Mzukona Mantshontsho
Chronicles of a Farmer’s Life, was co-authored by Duncan Mnisi, Bennedicter Mhlongo and Faith Ngwenya in 2025.
Chronicles of a Farmer’s Life is about truth and resilience, and is not just about farming. It is about what farming teaches you about life – patience, hard work, and starting with what you HAVE. We wanted learners to know that you can be a CEO and a farmer at the same time. Our land is our library.
Yo School Magazine spoke to Duncan Mnisi about his personal, professional, and entrepreneurial journey thus far.
How did your upbringing lead to your journey as a radio personality today?
I was born and raised in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga. My upbringing taught me leadership, discipline and perseverance from a young age – managing operations, coordinating projects and leading teams even before I had a title. As a son and a brother, I learned service. As a father and a partner today, I live those values. That same sense of service led me to community media. I joined R FM Media House NPC in June 2023 as a volunteer news reporter, editor and reader, and that volunteer work became my purpose.
What is your view in terms of success in Entrepreneurship?
Since 2022, I have served as Director and CEO of Mohustla Group. For me, success in entrepreneurship is not just profit, its vision and impact. Success is when your business can grow while your community grows with you. It’s strategic leadership.
Tell us about your early life
I was born and raised in Bushbuckridge, where I developed my love for leadership and community. While building my career, I pursued my academics. Between 2019 and 2022, I enrolled for a National Diploma in Information Technology at Vaal University of Technology, and I graduated in 2022. That IT background helps me today in media, publishing, and running Mohustla Group.
What does your role mean to you?
I wear many hats and each one is service. As CEO of Mohustla Group, it means driving vision. As Drive Show host on R FM since January 2026 (after co-hosting the Mid-Day Show Off with Lwazi Dlamini and hosting Mid-Morning Chats), it means being the voice of my people. As Communications Officer for Bohlabela District YARD, Language & Publicity Committee, and Bushbuckridge Farmers Association, it means protecting our youth, our language, and our farmers. As founder of “Hi Matsonga, Machangana”, it means safeguarding Tsonga heritage. It all means responsibility.
What are the most critical resources for your successful leadership?
1. Knowledge and Storytelling – the ability to communicate truthfully.
2. Culture and Language – knowing who you are. That is why I wrote “Ku Tiyisela Swa Pfuna” in Xitsonga in April 2024.
3. People – from the teams I led in management to the authors I assist like Pholoso Quietness Mhlongo, Precious Mhlava, Ignatius Nyulungu, Dr. L.M Masite, and many others.
What can we expect from your writing journey going forward?
My writing journey started in November 2022 with “Visionary”, then “Truth Revealed” in June 2023, “Ku Tiyisela Swa Pfuna” in 2024, “To the Leader in You” in 2025, and “Chronicles of a Farmer’s Life“. Expect more books that combine business, culture and youth leadership. I also contribute to Timeless News and Immaculate Media. I want to publish more Xitsonga literature to preserve our heritage.
What are your words of advice for young people, particularly women, to start community projects or small businesses?
Start with what you HAVE. I started publishing with one book, volunteering on radio with zero salary, and farming on 1 hectare in Saselani. For young women – you are the backbone of our communities. Don’t wait for perfect conditions. My book “To the Leader in You” is for you. Your community needs your idea now.
What are your thoughts on Covid-19 in terms of small businesses?
Covid-19 taught us that every business needs a digital backup. As an IT graduate and media professional, I learnt that businesses must:
1) Have an online presence,
2) Keep financial records,
3) Diversify income – for me that is having media, publishing, and farming, not just one, and
4) Communicate – keep your clients informed.
What is the legacy that you want to leave behind for future generations?
I want to leave a legacy of preservation and possibility. Through “Hi Matsonga, Machangana” initiative, I want Tsonga heritage to live forever. Through my books and Mohustla Group, I want to show that a young person from Bushbuckridge can be an author, a CEO, and a farmer.
How does the work DIRECTLY contribute to the community?
My Drive Show on R FM connects and inspires the community daily. My role in Bushbuckridge Farmers Association supports 1-hectare farmers like myself. Through YARD, I support youth development. Through my writing, I give young authors a platform to be published.
What have been your highs and lows in your career life?
Highs: Graduating in IT in 2022, publishing my first book “Visionary”, being promoted to host the Drive Show in January 2026, and co-authoring Chronicles of a Farmer’s Life. Also seeing young authors I mentored publish their work.
Lows: Starting as a volunteer in media with no income, and the challenge of balancing business, media, family and studies. But those lows built my discipline.
When you not at work, what do you get up to, and where can people follow the work you do?
I am a devoted family man – a father, a partner, a brother. I spend time with family and working on cultural preservation.
People can follow my work:
Email: mohustlagroup@gmail.com
Cell: 082 842 7453
Farm/Company: Mohustla Projects (Pty) Ltd / Mohustla Group – 0071 Saselani Trust, Bushbuckridge 1280
Radio: R FM Media House – Drive Show
All Socials: Duncan Mnisi.
