Africa-Press – Eswatini. When the world stood still during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2021, Mandla Malaza of Mbekelweni chose movement. While many faced uncertainty and waited for normalcy to return, Mandla turned to the soil, and found his purpose.
At the time, he was living in a staff house at Lusoti Village in Simunye. With limited space, he began growing spinach, lettuce, and cabbage on a small piece of land. The spark came from a fellow farmer who shared an encouraging truth: “You can make a lot of money from farming.” Those words planted the seed that would grow into a life-changing journey.
Returning home to Mbekelweni for access to more land, His momentum was quickly tested, a burnt fence and no funds to repair it. Water shortages followed, and by 2023, he was forced to pause his farming dream and seek employment once again.
But even in the workplace, the spirit of farming found him. Two colleagues shared stories of their own side hustles in agriculture. Inspired and motivated, the trio began saving and investing in a shared dream. They worked full-time jobs during the week and farmed on weekends, sometimes working through the night to fulfill customer orders.
“We hire local helpers when we can’t be on site,” Mandla shared. “It’s not a big business yet, but it’s something that gives us purpose.”
Today, the team sells fresh produce directly from the field and occasionally supplies local stores like Boxer. Though it’s still a side hustle, it’s growing steadily and creating part-time jobs in the community.
Mandla offers advice to aspiring farmers: “Don’t chase farming for money only, love it. When you love it, you’ll have the patience to wait for results. Money is in the soil, but so is purpose.”
What began as a way to survive has blossomed into a symbol of determination and growth. Mandla’s journey shows that with faith, teamwork, and a love for the land, even the smallest plot can yield a brighter future.
For More News And Analysis About Eswatini Follow Africa-Press
