November 09, 2026
There was a time when Zelda Masoga's farming business had no office, no formal boardroom and no conventional place from which to run her growing enterprise. Her office was simply under a tree. It was there, surrounded by 100 hectares of the land she was determined to make productive, that Zelda managed the business, made decisions and laid the foundations for the potato farming enterprise she is building today.
"That was where I would sit, make my plans, take calls and think about the future of the farm. It may not have looked like much to other people, but to me, it was the beginning of something," she said.
Over time, her farming operation has grown, supported by access to Kgodiso Development Fund (KDF) finance, supplying her potatoes to PepsiCo, business support and opportunities to strengthen her agricultural enterprise.
"You learn very quickly that farming is not only about planting and harvesting. It is about planning, managing money, understanding your markets, dealing with challenges and making decisions that will affect the next season.
"When I look back at where I started, I realise how far the business has come. The tree that served as my office represented where I was at the time. Today, I look at the farm differently. I see what is possible when you keep going, keep learning and make use of the opportunities available to you," she said.
From an office beneath a tree to a growing agricultural enterprise, Zelda captured the spirit of entrepreneurship at the heart of South Africa’s agricultural transformation: start where you are, use what you have, and keep building.
"I want people to understand that you do not need to have everything on day one. You can start with what you have, build from there and grow. The important thing is to believe in what you are building and to never stop looking for ways to improve," she said.