November 09, 2026
In Tsengiwe, Cala in the Eastern Cape, Nolundi Patience Msengana grew up watching her father farm the land to provide for his family. His was a subsistence farm, but the lessons she absorbed there would eventually become the foundation of her own journey in agriculture.
In 2007, Nolundi moved to Gauteng and settled in Vanderbijlpark, where she began building her own agricultural enterprise. Today, she is a commercial farmer running Konkesinako Farming CC, a mixed farming operation that combines livestock and crop production.
Her livestock enterprise includes goats, sheep and cattle, while her crop production focuses on maize and soybeans. She farms on land leased from government under a 30-year agreement, providing a foundation for her continued growth as a commercial farmer.
Nolundi has managed her farming operation since 2018, steadily building her experience and commercial capacity. She holds an Honours degree in Economics and was recognised as Grain SA’s 2019 Female Farmer of the Year.
"I grew up watching my father farm simply to provide for our family. Those early experiences gave me an appreciation for the land and taught me that farming requires patience, resilience and commitment. I have carried those lessons with me throughout my own journey."
In 2024, Nolundi received production finance from Kgodiso Development Fund (KDF) to support her crop production, helping her strengthen and grow her farming enterprise.
"The support from Kgodiso Development Fund has been important in helping me continue growing the business. Farming requires more than land. You need access to finance, the right support and the ability to make decisions that will sustain the business over the long term."
Her farm also contributes to employment, with five permanent employees and approximately 50 seasonal workers during harvest.
"The legacy I hope to leave is one of courage, resilience and opportunity. I want the next generation to see that it is possible to start small, build patiently and create something meaningful and sustainable," said Nolundi.
While her own journey reflects the growing participation of women across the agricultural sector, Nolundi sees agriculture as an industry where everyone has a role to play, from farming and production to agribusiness, technology, leadership and decision-making. "I want young people to understand that there is a place for them in agriculture. My hope is to share what I have learned, open doors where I can and make the path a little easier for those who come after me."
"I want my legacy to be that I helped create opportunities for the next generation. If someone looks at my journey and says, ‘I can do it too,’ then I know that what I have built has meaning," she said.