We are delighted to announce the appointment of Zandile Nozinhle Matiwaza as Senior Associate at NCA AgriVest, where she will bring her wealth of experience and strategic leadership to strengthen our agricultural investment and cooperative development initiatives in South Africa and beyond.

Zandile is a seasoned executive with a proven track record across agribusiness, finance, and enterprise development. With a Bachelor of Commerce in Financial Management and progress towards her Chartered Financial Analyst designation, she combines technical expertise with visionary leadership. From her early days supplying agricultural inputs across the SADC region to governments and private stakeholders, to her executive roles shaping investment-ready supply chains, Zandile has demonstrated a deep commitment to building Africa’s food systems and strengthening rural livelihoods.

Her experience as Business Development Director at Innovatec Africa saw her nurture over 1,000 businesses from start-up to market, while her leadership as CEO of Kingdom Business Network and CFO of Goldstone & Co. positioned her at the forefront of financing and distributing agricultural products across Southern Africa. As Co-Founder and Vice President of Africa Grain and Seed, she has championed smart rural agriculture ecosystems, bringing together governments, suppliers, growers, financiers, and logistics providers to build sustainable farming models.

Zandile also holds key international roles, including Co-Chairperson of the BRICS WBA Agricultural Working Group, Advisor at Kampay, SADC Ambassador for Coding Africa, and International Relations Chairperson for the Circle of Global Business Women. Her footprint of influence spans Malawi, South Africa, South Sudan, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, where she has contributed significantly to food security, agricultural transformation, and women’s economic empowerment.

At NCA AgriVest, Zandile will play a pivotal role in driving strategic investment into cooperative agriculture, expanding market access for farmers, and building resilient value chains that align with our mission to transform rural livelihoods and strengthen South Africa’s cooperative economy. Her passion for empowering youth and women, alongside her extensive networks across Africa and global markets, will be instrumental in positioning AgriVest as a leader in sustainable agribusiness investment.

We warmly welcome Zandile to the NCA AgriVest team and look forward to the impact she will make as we continue to build a stronger, more inclusive cooperative agricultural sector for South Africa and the region.

ZIMBABWE has unveiled a robust US$1,4 billion agricultural investment package to global financiers, targeting seven high-impact value chains as the country positions itself to meet domestic needs and secure lucrative export markets.

The pitch was made at the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) in Dakar, Senegal, where Permanent Secretary for Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri, said the thrust is anchored on the Zimbabwe Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy (AFSRTS).

The country has identified 42 agricultural value chains but narrowed down its pitch to seven priority areas for targeted impact—blueberries, dairy, beef, maize, sunflowers, soyabeans and poultry.

We are in Dakar, Senegal, where we are meeting investors in agriculture. As Zimbabwe, we have our investment pitch anchored on the Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy (AFSRTS).

“We are saying Zimbabwe is open to develop these value chains to fulfil internal requirements and also for exports. The total package of US$1,4 billion has been pitched to ensure that we develop these value chains,” Prof Jiri said.

According to the Zimbabwe Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Investment Roadmap (ZAFSRTIR), sector-specific requirements include maize (US$468 million), soyabeans (US$403 million), sunflower (US$251,9 million), blueberry (US$23,7 million), beef (US$45,2 million), dairy (US$71,4 million), eggs (US$15,1 million) and broilers (US$143,3 million).

Source: https://www.heraldonline.co.zw/zimbabwe-unveils-us1-4-billion-agricultural-investment-package/

https://www.fao.org/africa/news-stories/news-detail/fao-and-zimbabwe-team-up-to-transform-agriculture-with-innovative-approach-to-sustainable-agrifood-systems/en

The Heroooes Foods Hub is happy to tell amakhenza amahle that Coach Dumisani Mlangeni has started a youth economic empowement drive around Soweto, starting in White City.

He is currently coaching young people from eKhenza on how to operate food businesses, instead of them waiting for jobs that may not come.

After they have undergone the training at Heroooes Foods Hub (at Mphuthi shops in Dlamini) these young people will be provided with machinery and equipments which they will then use to start businesses selling kotas, magwinya, etc.

The Heroooes Foods Hub is looking for suppliers of atchaar, potatoes, and other products used in the making of magwinya, kotas, etc.

Potential suppliers must send pictures (not more than 5) to 081 521 8080. This offer closes on 30 August 2025.

Regards

Mphuthi MPHUTHI (Mr.)
Chief Servant @
Heroooes Foods Hub &
Soweto Business Access

The Defe Foods Processing and Packaging Plant is projected to operate at a scale that significantly transforms food supply in Gokwe and beyond. With a daily milling capacity of 50 tonnes of maize, the plant will produce approximately 15,000 tonnes of maize meal annually, packaged into retail-ready 10kg, 20kg, and 50kg bags for households and institutions. This alone creates a reliable supply for the wider Gokwe area while generating strong revenue streams for the co-op.

The sunflower oil line will process 8,000 tonnes of sunflower seed annually, yielding around 3 million litres of cooking oil. Packaged in 2-litre and 5-litre bottles, this output positions Defe Foods as a competitive player in both local and regional edible oil markets, where demand consistently outpaces supply.

On the protein side, the beef and fish divisions will handle approximately 1,500 head of cattle and 200 tonnes of fish per year. Processed and packaged under cold chain systems, these will be supplied to urban supermarkets, local butcheries, and regional export buyers. Complementing these lines, the plant will process 1,200 tonnes of sugar beans annually, cleaned, graded, and vacuum-packed for both local consumption and export.

At full capacity, the plant will generate an estimated US$6 million in annual revenues, with gross margins averaging 30–35% across the product lines. This provides a strong justification for the US$2.8 million debenture raise, as the facility not only pays for itself over the 5-year term but also secures attractive returns for investors while building lasting value for cooperative members.

The combination of diversified outputs, high-demand staple products, and integrated cold chain logistics ensures both resilience and profitability, making Defe Foods a strategically sound investment for community-driven agro-industrial growth.

Defe Foods Processing and Packaging Plant is projected to operate at a scale that significantly transforms food supply in Gokwe and beyond. With a daily milling capacity of 50 tonnes of maize, the plant will produce approximately 15,000 tonnes of maize meal annually, packaged into retail-ready 10kg, 20kg, and 50kg bags for households and institutions. This alone creates a reliable supply for the wider Gokwe area while generating strong revenue streams for the co-op.

The sunflower oil line will process 8,000 tonnes of sunflower seed annually, yielding around 3 million litres of cooking oil. Packaged in 2-litre and 5-litre bottles, this output positions Defe Foods as a competitive player in both local and regional edible oil markets, where demand consistently outpaces supply.

On the protein side, the beef and fish divisions will handle approximately 1,500 head of cattle and 200 tonnes of fish per year. Processed and packaged under cold chain systems, these will be supplied to urban supermarkets, local butcheries, and regional export buyers. Complementing these lines, the plant will process 1,200 tonnes of sugar beans annually, cleaned, graded, and vacuum-packed for both local consumption and export.

At full capacity, the plant will generate an estimated US$6 million in annual revenues, with gross margins averaging 30–35% across the product lines. This provides a strong justification for the US$2.8 million debenture raise, as the facility not only pays for itself over the 5-year term but also secures attractive returns for investors while building lasting value for cooperative members.

The combination of diversified outputs, high-demand staple products, and integrated cold chain logistics ensures both resilience and profitability, making Defe Foods a strategically sound investment for community-driven agro-industrial growth.

The equipping plan for Defe Foods Co-op begins with empowering local farmers who supply the co-op to increase both their productivity and quality of produce. Individual farmers will be equipped with small-scale machinery and tools suited for on-farm use, such as oilseed presses for pre-processing sunflower, small maize shellers, and irrigation equipment. These are provided on an ownership or lease-to-own basis, enabling farmers to handle the first stages of processing and reduce losses before delivery to the central plant.

For larger and more capital-intensive equipment, the co-op will maintain a shared pool of resources accessible to members. This includes high-capacity tractors, combine harvesters, threshers, bean graders, and fishery equipment, all managed under a cooperative scheduling system. Farmers book access to this equipment based on seasonal crop cycles, ensuring fairness and efficiency. The co-op will also provide technical staff to operate complex machines, reducing the burden on individual farmers and guaranteeing optimal use.

This blended approach—personal equipment for routine needs and shared equipment for high-value tasks—allows the co-op to maximize productivity while keeping costs manageable for smallholder farmers. By pooling resources, farmers who could not individually afford advanced machinery gain access to tools that significantly boost yields and quality.

The debenture funding is transformative in this context, as it enables bulk purchase and maintenance of modern machinery without straining farmer finances. With equipment readily available, efficiency increases across all stages of production, from planting and harvesting to post-harvest handling. Output rises as farmers can cultivate larger plots, process crops faster, and deliver higher-quality produce to the processing plant. In turn, this strengthens the plant’s supply chain, increases volumes for processing, and boosts revenues for both farmers and the co-op as a whole.

The result is a cycle of growth where investment in equipment enhances farmer capacity, farmer supply sustains the processing plant, and the plant’s success secures returns for investors and long-term prosperity for the community.

The Defe Foods Processing and Packaging Plant is designed as a multi-line agro-processing facility equipped to handle a diverse range of crops and livestock products. The sunflower oil line will include seed cleaning machines, oil expellers, filtration units, and automated bottling equipment. For maize meal, hammer mills, dehullers, sifters, and packaging machines will be installed to produce both super and roller meal. Sugar beans will be processed using grading, cleaning, drying, and vacuum-packing units to ensure quality and shelf life. The beef and fish sections will incorporate cold storage rooms, meat processing equipment such as deboners, mincers, sausage fillers, and vacuum sealing systems, all linked to a cold chain distribution network.

The plant’s design emphasizes efficiency, food safety, and sustainability. Energy-efficient motors and solar power integration will reduce reliance on the national grid, while water recycling systems will minimize waste in cleaning and processing operations. Packaging lines will prioritize biodegradable and recyclable materials where possible, supporting environmentally responsible distribution. Waste from oilseed pressing, maize milling, and livestock processing will be converted into by-products such as animal feed and organic fertilizer, creating a circular economy that maximizes resource use.

By combining modern agro-processing technology with environmentally conscious design, the Defe Foods Processing and Packaging Plant will not only increase the value of local farm produce but also serve as a model of sustainable rural industrialization.

GET FREE KOTA... FREE CHIPS... FREE CHICKEN

Three gifts from God arrived at Soweto Business Access, SBA, this week and we want to celebrate this milestone with you, Soweto. How???

We want you to get *FREE* chips and/or *FREE* chicken, *FREE* scones for *SIX MONTHS* .

Your role is to identify the seller (big or small) where you want us to buy you the chicken, kota, scones, magwinya, or chips around Soweto until December.

Yes, we want to pay for you until December!!!

Yes, you can choose a baker *AND* a fast food outlet, *AND* a chicken outlet all at the same time.

To participate, simply Whatsapp the phrase "Gifts from God" to *081 521 8080* .

Please do not call. Do not greet. Do not send "hi". Do not SMS. Simply Whatsapp "Gifts from God" and we will reply within 24 hours.

This offer closes on 31 July.

To God be the glory!!!

Mphuthi MPHUTHI (Mr.)
Chief Servant @
Soweto Business Access

The Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) is a South African government initiative designed to enhance agricultural development, particularly for smallholder farmers. It provides financial and technical assistance to support various aspects of agricultural production, including infrastructure, training, marketing, and access to information.

Key features of CASP include:
Target Beneficiaries:
CASP focuses on supporting smallholder farmers, land reform beneficiaries, farm workers, and small agribusinesses, including women and youth in agriculture.

Six Pillars of Support:
The program is structured around six key pillars:
On and off-farm infrastructure and production inputs: This includes support for building and improving infrastructure like irrigation systems, storage facilities, and providing essential inputs like seeds and fertilizers.
Targeted training, skills development, and capacity building: CASP provides training programs to enhance farmers' skills in areas like crop production, livestock management, and business management.
Marketing and business development: The program assists farmers in accessing markets for their produce and developing business plans to improve profitability.
Information and knowledge management: CASP provides access to relevant agricultural information and resources, including market information, best practices, and technical advice.
Technical, advisory, and regulatory services: This includes access to expert advice on various agricultural practices, as well as assistance with navigating regulations related to farming.
Financial services: CASP aims to improve access to financial resources for farmers, potentially through partnerships with financial institutions.

Promoting Sustainable Practices:
A key objective of CASP is to promote sustainable agricultural practices that ensure long-term productivity and environmental stewardship.

Improving Food Security:
By supporting increased agricultural production and efficiency, CASP contributes to improved food security for the targeted communities and the nation as a whole.

Provincial Implementation:
The program is implemented by provincial departments of agriculture, working in collaboration with various stakeholders, including the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD).