MBOMBELA – For the second year in a row, female farmers from Nkomazi Local Municipality proved to be the cream of the crop at the provincial Female Entrepreneur Awards.
Ms Makhosazane Sambo (40), founder of Ikhwezi Vegetables and Poultry Farming Co-operative, could not believe her ears when she was announced the overall winner of the awards held at Secunda last Thursday.
The Skhwahlane-born victor walked away with cash prize of R430 000, trophies and certificates. Her victory comes after that of her predecessor, the female farmer of 2015, Ms Julia Shungube from Embangwane.
Sambo was also honoured in the formal market category, where she scooped R130 000 and a certificate, which adds to the overall winner’s prize of R300 000. Her tenacity in tilling the 18-hectare field, ploughing vegetables and her poultry project which does not only supply the locals, but major retailers including SPAR, Pick n Pay, Boxer and markets in Johannesburg and Durban.
Sambo and a group of eight women started the project in 2000, working on only 12 hectares. She won the provincial and national female farmers awards in local market in 2002.
The farm has since extended to 18 hectares and expanded to include poultry farming. The number of workers also increased to 67 with 29 of them being permanent.
She contributes her achievement to hard work and passion for the soil. Her plans are to expand the farm and put more poultry to generate a sustainable income for her workers.
Sambo will, among other female farmers, represent the province in the upcoming National Female Entrepreneur Awards on August 25 at The Ranch in Polokwane.
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