Monday, 21 March
29 Sep 2021
She wakes up to bright skies, fresh air, and fresh produce from her farm in Modimolle, Limpopo.
Years before, she left the fast-paced city of Johannesburg with her family to pursue a life in agriculture and farming – and it was the best decision they could’ve made.
In 2017, Thato Moagi (27) was the first South African to receive the acclaimed Nuffield Agricultural Scholarship from the UK. Now, she is using her seven years of experience in farming to empower other women in the agriculture space.
“I have always had a passion for nature, and our parents did their best to expose us to travel and worldly experiences,” Thato tells Drum.
“I became more interested in university when I started understanding the technical and economic aspects of agriculture. I realized it was a way I could be an entrepreneur while benefiting my community by employing people.”
Thato studied a BSc in Plant Science at the University of Pretoria then did her BSc in Agriculture at the University of South Africa.
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Thato has employed five permanent staff and can have up to 20 seasonal workers.
“We have had six long-term interns and 30 short-term interns at our farm over the past five years and hosted various events in partnerships with development organizations,” Thato says.
Although they’ve experienced success, getting into the agricultural business took some time for Thato and her family.
“We bought the farm in 2013 on auction as an ongoing concern. It was a Dorper Stud Breeding Farm. In previous years we had applied for land through government schemes, and we were unsuccessful,” she says.
She later approached her father with an idea to buy the farm as a family business.
“I then developed a business plan to motivate, and he invested in the project. We are in partnership at Legae La Banareng Farms, and we operate it as a family business,” she says.
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She was born in Kensington, Johannesburg and grew up in Bedfordview. Her parents are businessman and entrepreneur, Molebatsi Moagi and Lerato Moagi, a facilities manager at Legae La Banareng Farms.
“My mom manages the farm and its various components,” says Thato.
Raised with her three other siblings Thato was taught responsibility at a young age.
“My parents exposed us to life and its possibilities. Being a child of entrepreneurs, we learned a lot about business, and they instilled a work ethic in us,” Thato says.
“We are very close as a family and excel in our independent fields.”
Her eldest brother Lesego Moagi is a marketing executive, her younger sister Mmathari Moagi is a qualified and experienced chef who is now running her own pastry business. Her brother Lebo Khesa is a chiropractor with his practice at Supersport Park and her youngest brother Molebatsi Jnr has his own pastry business and works in collaboration with his sister.
After obtaining the farm, most of them packed and left their Johannesburg home for Limpopo.
“We left our lives in Johannesburg to move to a rural area to start, learn and understand how to operate and manage a commercial farm,” she says.
“I do not see it as a sacrifice but rather a start to a new journey and lifestyle. I decided to embrace farm life as I saw the benefits of living on a farm.”
Thato and her family are working towards being off-grid in terms of energy so they can live sustainable lives.
“We still have access to modern infrastructures such as malls and the internet, we just do not have to be in traffic to get to and from work. I enjoy the stress-less environment.”
Being a young, back-female farmer comes with many challenges.
“As any type of entrepreneur, one will face issues when wanting to get access to capital for the development of the business, especially if you are young and not yet established,” she says.
“This meant I had to build a business that can be investable. It takes time and effort to build on partnerships and trust with people businesses that can support and help your business grow.”
“As a woman, I face challenges on and off the farm. On the farm, I need to command the respect of workers, who are most likely to be men. I overcame this challenge by employing more women as well as ensuring we have gender sensitivity training for management and employees.
“We have had many incidents that show the need for education around gender and gender roles especially for workers who are conditioned and used to working in a harsh environment on other farms.”
Off the farm, it meant commanding respect when interacting with people in a male-dominated environment such as the market or auction place.
“Usually, I am the youngest or one of few women in the room. This has forced me to be more confident, articulate, and knowledgeable when interacting with people. I sometimes have to make sure that I travel with my husband to make sure I am safe or to just have a male presence when I enter the room.”
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While running a successful farming business, Thato has made sure that she remains well read at all times and educated in whatever project she initiates.
“I make sure that I visit other people’s farms to learn how others do things and set a benchmark for myself.”
She has had various mentors but the person who has made the most impact in her life is her mother.
“Growing up, seeing her as a businesswoman, was the best example because I have always felt that if I can put my mind on something, I can achieve anything,” she says.
“Hlami Ngwenya was my lecturer at the University of Pretoria, who later became my mentor. She developed my professional career in agriculture by exposing me to opportunities in development work.
“She inspired me to become an advocate and voice in the industry while exposing me to professional opportunities. This resulted in me being selected as a Nuffield International Scholar. I’ve also worked on various platforms within UN and FAO including the Presidency,” she explains.
This year, she took part in the #SheOwnsHerSuccess campaign by Momentum. And shares her journey of starting the Legae La Bonareng Farms family business.
“This campaign is special to me as it is a platform created for women to share their unique success stories.”
In the future, Thato hopes to continue growing and experiencing various levels within the agricultural industry.
“I would like to continue expanding on my project of growing indigenous vegetables for informal and retail markets. I want to grow my new business venture Agriemporium, which is an app that allows farmers to sell their livestock online,” she says.
“I want to attain personal happiness by ensuring the happiness and development of my family. I hope to one day to open a consulting business that can assist emerging farmers to develop their farms and create new market opportunities.”
She has made a few mistakes along the way but has used them as lessons.
“I have failed many times. I lost money due to unsuccessful business transactions. I have been scammed by people, people have even used my name to scam others.
“All of that has taught me that life is not fair and people do not play fair especially when it comes to money. I decided to learn and carry on with my work, work in silence and impact people in my way.
“I have learned to be wise in business and to consult with people who are experienced. The fact I need to make a living for myself and my family keeps me motivated. I want to be an entrepreneur and run businesses that can grow and bring in money for myself and other families,” Thato says.
08 Mar
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