By Noko Mashilo
Amohelang Malangabi, a thriving commercial farmer, has perfected a winning formula. Her passion for farming began in Grade 9 when she experienced the joy of watching her first seed sprout. This profound moment ignited her love for agriculture, which has since become as essential to her as the air she breathes. Now, at 33, Malangabi from Walkerville, south of Johannesburg, has emerged as the winner of the 2024 Gauteng Women and Young Entrepreneur Awards.
Hosted by the Gauteng Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Department, these awards honour excellence in the agricultural value chain, focusing on the achievements of women and youth. Malangabi took home first prize in both the young and women entrepreneur categories, and she was also crowned the overall winner for women entrepreneurs, earning a total prize of R500,000.
Reflecting on her success, Malangabi expressed her excitement and humility, especially as she was third in the same competition last year. “Winning this year means so much to me. It’s proof that hard work pays off. I’m at the farm every day, putting in the effort,” she said. Beyond her dedication, Malangabi attributes her win to her commitment to social responsibility.
She supports Precious Place of Hope, a home for children with disabilities in Walkerville, which she believes played a role in fulfilling the awards’ requirements.“Job creation was another important factor. I have 15 full-time employees and 20 part-time workers during planting seasons. Being tax and labour law compliant was also essential,” she explained. In 2017, Malangabi founded Elands Green Farm after purchasing a four-hectare plot of land with savings she had accumulated over four years as a bookkeeper. She now grows vegetables such as cabbage, spinach, kale, coriander, mint and spring onions.
As a passionate farmer, she supplies her produce to five Spar stores and three supermarkets in both the southern and northern regions of Johannesburg. “I deliver 500 bunches of spinach daily, with increased demand over weekends and month ends,” she said, explaining her door-to-door marketing strategy.
To ensure her crops were healthy and safe for consumption, Malangabi regularly tests her soil and water before each planting season. “The Department of Agriculture sends a representative to take samples, which are tested in a lab. The results guide us on how to treat the soil and water,” she noted. Malangabi stressed the importance of food security, which was why her farm was SA GAP certified. “Good agricultural practices are crucial. They build trust in the quality of the food we produce,” she said.
However, climate change poses a significant challenge. “The weather has become unpredictable. I should be planting summer crops by now, but it’s still cold. This delay has impacted production,” Malangabi shared. Looking ahead, her goals include owning a fruit and vegetable store, producing her own seedlings to reduce costs and launching her own branded packaging for her products.
