Matatiele farm grows anew with leadership from this #SoilSista
Story by: Octavia Avesca Spandiel of Food for Mzantsi
Kabelo Puling is cultivating a promising future as a farmer in Matatiele in the Eastern Cape. Through her unwavering commitment, she is ushering in change, leading a family business, Pula Nala Bataung, that stands as a beacon of empowerment and progress.
In the Matias village of Mzongwana, nestled in Matatiele in the Eastern Cape, #SoilSista Kabelo Puling is shaping a bright future as a farmer. Her path into agriculture emerged from a series of challenging life events that forged her into the resilient and determined woman she has become.
Puling hails from a family with a profound belief in education’s transformative potential. It comes as no surprise then that she made the cut for this year’s Corteva Agriscience Women Agripreneur programme. This is a year-long blended development at the GIBS Entrepreneurship Academy in Johannesburg.
“I come from a family that truly believes in education and the transformative power [thereof]. [Our business named] Pula Nala Bataung is family-owned,” she says in an interview with Food For Mzansi.
A turning point in 2020 compelled her to engage in deep introspection, steering her towards the world of farming. “I am a very passionate South African. I want to change South Africa and the continent,” she affirms.
Presently, the farming enterprise stands as a testament to full black ownership, with an impressive 51% stake owned by youth. It strives to maximise the potential of the village’s land resources, thereby uplifting its residents. Pula Nala Bataung has several specialised divisions encompassing farming, harvesting, bakery operations, and innovation ventures.
Puling’s versatility shines through her profound expertise, spanning soil cultivation, labour management, and agro-processing within the agricultural sphere. The Corteva programme has consistently fuelled her motivation to persist, even when faced with daunting challenges.
Entering the programme as the CEO of Pula Nala Bataung, Puling initially believed herself to be a solitary advocate for reshaping the nation’s economic landscape. Yet, her perspective swiftly shifted as she encountered kindred spirits among the women participating. Her mission crystallised: to establish economic nuclei within villages, nurturing the advancement of young individuals at the heart of these communities.
She says, “The women have put a string in my steps. Now I know [that] what I am doing is not crazy, and it is what I should [truly] be doing [with my life].”
Her journey from adversity to agricultural innovation exemplifies the profound impact of education, determination, and collective empowerment. As she nurtures economic growth within villages and inspires future leaders, her story stands as a testament to the transformative power of individual action. And as a #SoilSista, Puling continues to sow the seeds of change, leaving an indelible legacy for generations to come.
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