Teen turns fresh produce from a small family holding into a business in her village. 

In a world where most teenagers are busy with school, social media, and other activities, 17-year-old Lulama Mnguni stands out because she is dedicated to farming.

Lulama, who is in Grade 11, comes from a rural community of Umzumbe, Port Shepstone where farming is not just a hobby but a way of life. She developed a love for farming at a young age, thanks to her grandmother, who taught her to appreciate nature and the importance of self-sufficiency.

“I started farming as a child, helping my grandmother in her garden,” Lulama recalls. “That’s when I fell in love with it. Watching things grow from seeds into food we could eat made me want to have my garden.” She added.

With her grandmother’s help, Lulama started her garden and she was so happy to see her crops grow well. This success motivated her to make her garden bigger, dreaming of becoming a real farmer one day. But her journey has not been easy.

One of the biggest problems Lulama faces is drought. There is not enough water in her community, which makes it hard for her to take care of her crops.

“We don’t have water here, so I can’t water my crops,” Lulama says.

“However my brothers help me get water from the river, but it is far away, and even then, it is not enough. The plants that need water daily often die because we do not have enough water.”

Even though things are tough, Lulama stays determined, with help from her family, especially her brothers, she keeps going and finds ways to keep her crops growing. She is motivated by a strong reason, she farms not just to feed her family, but also to offer her community fresh and healthy vegetables.

Her grandmother, who is a very important part of her life, is both proud and inspired by her.

“I’m very proud of her,” she says, smiling. “I am glad my love for farming has passed on to her. I can rest easy knowing that my granddaughter will keep feeding our family after I am gone.” She added.

Lulama’s grandmother also sees great potential in her. “She’s capable and will succeed if she stays committed,” she adds, confident in her granddaughter’s future.

According to the 2021 South African Journal of Agricultural Extension study says; agriculture is one sector that makes efforts to address issues of rural development. The community and government must be involved in education training and agricultural programs to lure young people to participate in agricultural activities to ensure they have the necessary skills.

Even though Lulama is doing well, her dreams go beyond her current garden. She hopes to grow her farm bigger and learn more about farming to improve her skills. She knows that with better tools and knowledge, she can grow more crops and be able to sell her crops to the whole of South Africa.

In addition, the study reveals that in most rural areas of South Africa, home gardens have been identified as one of the possible ways of improving food security and offer great solutions to some issues surrounding poverty alleviation and local income generation. The study further describes that home gardens are one of the most important sources of food in many rural areas in developing countries and can significantly contribute to meeting daily household needs for better nutrition and health.

Lulama Mnguni’s story is about hard work, passion, and the strength of tradition. As she grows as a farmer, she respects her grandmother’s legacy while creating a new future for herself and her community. Her determination to keep farming, even with drought, shows she is building a bright future, one seed at a time.

Journalist: Mthokozisi Dlamini

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