Top 10 Women Transforming Agriculture and Farming in South Africa

August is Women’s Month in South Africa—a time to recognise and celebrate the achievements of women across all sectors. Agriculture, one of the country’s most vital industries, has seen transformative contributions from female leaders who are breaking barriers, innovating, and creating economic opportunities.

Women in agriculture South Africa are reshaping the landscape—from managing commercial farms to launching agribusinesses, leading policy change, and introducing sustainable farming practices. Their work not only contributes to food security but also empowers communities, creates jobs, and drives social and environmental impact. Female farmers South Africa play a crucial role in ensuring the sector is inclusive, innovative, and resilient.

The Role of Women in Agriculture and Farming

Women are active across every segment of agriculture in South Africa, including crop and livestock farming, viticulture, agri-processing, agritech solutions, and sustainable farming initiatives. Their participation is key for:

• Food security: Ensuring communities have reliable access to fresh, nutritious food.
• Rural development: Creating jobs and income opportunities in under-resourced regions.
• Innovation and entrepreneurship: Launching businesses that add value, reduce waste, and introduce technology in farming.

Government and sectoral support is helping more women enter agriculture. Programs like AGRISETA learnerships, bursaries, and skills development initiatives provide pathways for women to acquire technical skills, management experience, and access to funding.

Criteria for Selecting the Top 10

The women featured in this list were selected based on:

• Leadership in farms, agribusiness, or agri-innovation projects.
• Achievements, such as awards, recognition, or innovative solutions in agriculture.
• Social impact through mentorship, community empowerment, or sustainable farming initiatives.
• Influence on agricultural policies or initiatives promoting women in the sector.

Profiles of the Top 10 Women

1) Thato Moagi — Mixed Farmer & Youth Advocate (Limpopo)

Background & Career Path: Founder and MD of Legae La Banareng Farms near Modimolle, Thato manages livestock, crops, and beekeeping. She is a Nuffield International Farming Scholar.
Achievements & Projects: Advocates for youth in agriculture while running a commercially successful mixed farm.
Impact: Demonstrates how mixed farming, branding, and continuous learning can drive growth for first-generation farmers.
Quote / Advice: “Agriculture offers endless opportunities for those willing to innovate and learn.”

2) Carmen Stevens — Winemaker & Black-Owned Winery Pioneer (Stellenbosch)

Background & Career Path: First Black South African to qualify in winemaking locally; launched her own fully black-owned winery in 2019.
Achievements & Projects: Runs scholarships and community feeding initiatives.
Awards: Recognition for breaking barriers in wine industry ownership.
Impact: Shows women can lead in both craft and social impact within the wine sector.

3) Dr Vuyo Mahlati (1965–2020) — Land Reform & Farmer Inclusion Champion

Background & Career Path: Former leader of AFASA and chair of the Presidential Advisory Panel on Land Reform and Agriculture. Built an indigenous wool processing plant in Butterworth.
Achievements: Policy influence, rural industrialisation, and job creation.
Impact: Strengthened farmer representation and sustainable rural development.

4) Berene Sauls — Founder, Tesselaarsdal Wines (Hemel-en-Aarde / Overberg)

Background & Career Path: Worked in the wine industry before launching Tesselaarsdal Wines in 2015.
Achievements: Produces award-winning Pinot Noir and Chardonnay; Best Commercial Producer at the 2024 Western Cape Women Entrepreneur Awards.
Impact: Transitioned from employment to owning premium export brands, showcasing women’s entrepreneurship in wine.

5) Liebré Jacobs — CEO & Co-Founder, FruitLips (Piketberg)

Background & Career Path: Co-founded FruitLips to turn lower-grade fruit into jams, sauces, and chutneys.
Impact: Reduces food waste while creating local employment; demonstrates the potential of value-added processing.

6) Lillian Masebenza — Founder, Mhani Gingi (Cape Town)

Background & Career Path: Leads urban agriculture projects and agri-processing programs for vulnerable groups.
Awards: Best Subsistence Producer, 2024 Western Cape Women Entrepreneur Awards.
Impact: Enhances urban food security and creates livelihoods in high-unemployment areas.

7) Dr Patience Mlengana — CEO & Poultry Innovator, PMM Agri (Tzaneen, Limpopo)

Background & Career Path: Expanded her parents’ poultry business from 40,000 to 350,000 chickens per cycle with support from the Poultry Master Plan.
Impact: Generates employment and drives rural economic growth; a role model for rural entrepreneurs.

8) Nomxolisi Mathe — Horticulture Farmer & Market Connector (Putfontein, Gauteng)

Background & Career Path: Uses Solidaridad’s Farmer2Market program to produce organic herbs and vegetables, employing 14 people.
Impact: Demonstrates how training and access to markets can elevate smallholder farmers into serious players in horticulture value chains.

9) Abo Yetse — Young Produce Entrepreneur (Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape)

Background & Career Path: Founded her own farm at age 24, supplying Boxer supermarkets.
Impact: Embodies youth-led agribusiness potential, inspiring others through visibility and determination.

10) Mpumi Hlophe — Former MEC for Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environmental Affairs (Mpumalanga)

Background & Career Path: Focused on enhancing agricultural policies and promoting sustainable rural development (2024–2025).
Impact: Demonstrates how women in government leadership shape policies that improve agriculture and rural communities.

What these leaders have in common

• Value-chain focus: They capture more value beyond the farm gate, from processing to exports.
• Commitment to inclusion: Many hire and mentor women and youth, spreading opportunity.
• Innovation and adaptability: They respond to climate challenges, market shifts, and resource constraints with creative solutions.
• Community impact: Their work strengthens local food systems and creates long-term skills development.

Read more: Top 10 South African Women in ICT (Information and Communications Tech)

Challenges Women Face in Agriculture

• Limited access to land, funding, and resources due to gender bias.
• Balancing farm management with family and domestic responsibilities.
• Scarce mentorship and networking opportunities within the agricultural sector.

The Impact of Female Leadership in Farming and Agribusiness

Women leaders are driving innovation, sustainability, and economic growth in South African agriculture. Their contributions include:

• Promoting food security and resilient local food systems.
• Creating employment opportunities in rural and urban areas.
• Inspiring the next generation of female farmers and agripreneurs.

How to Build a Career in Agriculture or Farming

• Education & Qualifications: Degrees or diplomas in agricultural science, agribusiness, horticulture, animal science, or agronomy.
• Entry Pathways: Learnerships, internships, apprenticeships, or working on family farms.
• Funding & Bursaries: Opportunities from AGRISETA, government grants, and private initiatives.
• Networking & Mentorship: Join agricultural associations, attend industry events, and seek mentorship from experienced female farmers.

Also check: The Ultimate Guide to 25 Exciting Careers in Agriculture in South Africa

Women are transforming South Africa’s agricultural landscape with innovation, resilience, and social impact. From commercial farms to government leadership, their work strengthens food systems, empowers communities, and inspires future generations. Women in agriculture South Africa continue to prove that farming is not just about food—it’s about creating opportunities, protecting the environment, and leading change.

Explore opportunities to support and learn from these trailblazing women. Consider mentorships, enrol in learnership programs, or buy from women-led agribusinesses. By getting involved, you can contribute to building a stronger, more inclusive, and innovative agricultural sector in South Africa.