Africa-Press – Eswatini. Mbuso Kunene has planted his path early, using his agricultural skills to build a business while he waits to graduate. With his hands in the soil and his mind on the future, he’s growing crops, supplying fresh produce, and laying the groundwork for a career rooted in farming.
Originally from Nhlambeni in Manzini, Mbuso is completing his Bachelor of Science in Agronomy at the University of Eswatini, Luyengo Campus. His final year hasn’t slowed him down, if anything, it’s sharpened his focus. In 2024, he officially started his own small garden, farming cabbage, spinach, and lettuce. But the journey started long before that.
“I’ve been hands on with farming since 2017,” he says. He spent years working under the mentorship of Prophet Sizwe Isaiah Kunene at his farm, learning how to manage crops, install irrigation systems, and run a farm operation from the ground up.
Today, Mbuso is applying those skills in his own venture. He sells vegetables directly to the community at farm gate prices, cutting out middlemen and making fresh food more affordable for ordinary families.
At the same time, he’s positioning himself as a consultant for other small scale growers, offering practical advice on crop production and surface drip irrigation at an affordable fee. “It’s not just about planting,” he says. “It’s about planning, marketing, knowing your soil, your timing, your customers, it’s a business.”
Mbuso’s mission is clear: promote food security, reduce dependency on supermarkets, and create employment within agriculture, starting with himself. He sees farming as a modern career path, not just a survival option.
And while his current garden is small, his vision is big. He’s seeking support to install electricity at his project site and scale up his irrigation system. His aim is to transform the garden into a working model of youth led horticultural entrepreneurship.
“The job market is tight. We see graduates every year, but not enough jobs,” Mbuso says. “We need to create options within our own fields of study. To young people, his advice is practical, “Get a hands on skill while you’re still studying. You never know which door it will open. God doesn’t ignore effort.”
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