At 27, Nomzamo Khoza became the youngest winner of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Female Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Khoza was honoured for her outstanding achievements in farming and the breadth of her product distribution networks.
Her 100% natural products are sold in South Africa as well as Mozambique and Argentina. She also aims to expand her business to the US.
Based in the Mnini area, near Port Shepstone in KwaZulu-Natal, Khoza owns a farming enterprise which makes People’s Bio Oil and Morana Fire for Africa.
Through the farming enterprise, Khoza produces 201 natural products such as tonics, hair food, body products and seasoning made from the moringa tree.
This tree grows in Africa and Asia and its leaves, which can be chewed or ground to a powder, are considered a super food because they are rich in vitamins A and C.
They are also excellent sources of calcium, potassium and protein.
Khoza also grows chillies and parsley, which are dried for seasoning. The enterprise employs 120 people in its nurseries, farm, offices and factory.
Her business is committed to the development of rural communities by providing business and farming skills.
Khoza received R1-million in prize money and says she had not expected to get this far with her venture. “Agriculture right now is the only way to go,” she says.
Khoza was nominated for The Future Africa Awards Prize in Agriculture in 2014, knowing that she is the future!
