Last August ('22) Vodacom hosted the #DiscovHER promotion - where we asked you to nominate your, or someone you know's, female-led business, for the chance to win R300 000 in funding.
Sponsorship comes in different shapes and forms such as funding, resources and services. But it always leads to the same thing; gaining exposure, being discovered by people in your industry and having your name live in the minds of people who will bring in opportunities and income.
Dr Keabetswe Ncube, founder and CEO of Kea Ncube Agri Services was selected to be the recipient of the funding and we recently caught up with her to find out more about her business and what the sponsorship means to her.
What motivated you to enter the Vodacom Women’s Month Campaign?
Growing up in Pella village in a rural farming environment, I‘ve always had a passion for farming, particularly goat farming; but as I became more involved in farming activities, I identified the challenges, such as production, growth performance, breeding, and animal nutrition challenges that not only my father had, but other farmers in the area were facing similar challenges. I realized that the solution is scientific like I always say to those around me “There is a scientific solution to every problem”.
For my post-graduate studies, I focused more on tool development for cost-effective methods that rural farmers with very limited funds would be able to implement to achieve maximum production yield. Developing and implementing these solutions is very costly, and rural farmers can barely afford them. After learning about livestock improvement and application in 2018, at the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Services, I founded my company, Kea Ncube Agri Services (KNAS), which provides scientific farming solutions. I learned that genomics and statistical tools are extremely costly - and my business had not yet reached a point where it could independently fund community-based breeding programs targeted at small-holder (rural) farmers.
My heart and passion for people, rural development and the drive to help the community that raised me was the key driver for me to stay up at night looking for opportunities such as this one - which could help fund the projects in rural communities.
What does winning this promotion mean to you and your business?
Winning this promotion has meant that I am able to fulfil my vision and purpose in the farming industry. Each one of us is born with a gift and purpose to fulfil. This is my great chance at launching my purpose to its full potential. Being able to assist many rural farmers with their farming practices while fulfilling my purpose is the cherry on top.
Apart from purchasing the tools that the business needs such as livestock scales and record-keeping kits, and statistical and genomics analysis tools, the funding will help with finalising the full accreditation with AgriSETA for us to start offering accredited courses and certificates through Kea Ncube Agri Services.
The other realization in the rural communities is the lack of skills and formal training in agriculture, this ultimately affects productivity. Furthermore, the involvement of women in scientific farming practices poses great potential for improving the livelihood of female farmers. In the spirit of Vodacom’s campaign to uplift women, part of the funds will go towards providing study grants to 5 women to enrol for a National Certificate in Animal Production (NQF 2, 3 or 4) course, offered by KNAS, which will further guide and assist them with registering their farming businesses on conclusion of the course.
What advice do you have for other women who are entrepreneurs and own their own businesses?
I would advise them to “BURN THE BOX” - don’t even think outside of it, burn it completely! Society has designed an idea of a model woman according to their view, and that damages the confidence and true purpose of women, especially in business. Phrases like “it’s a man’s world” sometimes scare women off and they feel they should be where society places them - at home, looking after babies, cooking and cleaning the house every day. No, this is God’s world; men and women are born and called for a purpose.
So dear woman… Burn the box and be you. This is the only way to make it out there. Don’t be afraid. Rise up, take your place and don’t be apologetic about it. In addition to this, women need to be more fearless. Follow that dream, block out all the negative noise, and start with the little resources you have. That idea will not come alive on its own!
Inclusion for all
Find out more about the work Vodacom is doing to ensure equal representation throughout South African society
