By Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe
In the heart of Mariannhill, in KZN, two sisters are proving that passion and purpose can turn a single seed into a movement. Nqobile and Nokukhanya Cele, the dynamic duo behind Imisebe Agri Services, are redefining what it means to be young women in agriculture. From a small patch of land in Pietermaritzburg to a thriving hectare farm in Durban, their journey is one of grit, growth, and giving back, cultivating not just crops, but opportunities for their community.
Tell us a bit about yourselves and how your farming journey began – what sparked your interest in agriculture?
We are two sisters, Nqobile and Nokukhanya Cele, united by a shared passion for growing food and empowering others. Our journey into farming began in Pietermaritzburg after being selected to participate in the Women in Farming program by Momentum and Agri Enterprises in 2022, a true turning point for us.
The program offered both theoretical and practical training, equipping us with the skills and confidence to transform our passion for agriculture into a fully operational and sustainable business.
With a small piece of land, a few seedlings, and a big dream, we started our journey. What inspired us most was seeing how many families struggled to access fresh, affordable vegetables. We wanted to be part of the solution, not just by growing food, but by creating opportunities for others to do the same. Over time, farming has become more than just a business for us; it’s a purpose deeply rooted in community and sustainability.
You started your farming journey in Pietermaritzburg and have since relocated to Durban. What inspired that move, and how has it changed your operations?
The move to Durban, specifically to 10 Monastery Road in Mariannhill was driven by growth. We wanted more space, better market access, and a location closer to home that would allow us to expand our operations. Starting a business can be lonely and challenging, and while Pietermaritzburg gave us a beautiful start, Durban offered the potential to scale up both our production and community impact. Being closer to our customers and local markets has strengthened our relationships with vendors and allowed us to refine our business model.
Farming isn’t an easy path, especially for young women. What were some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced, and how did you overcome them?
Access to land, water, and reliable markets were among our biggest challenges. As young women in agriculture, we also had to prove our credibility in a male-dominated space. But we refused to give up. We focused on learning, seeking mentorship, and proving ourselves through results. Every obstacle pushed us to innovate, from building shade-net tunnels to making planting beds and forming partnerships to secure market access. Our resilience has truly become our greatest strength.
You’ve grown from small beginnings to acquiring a bigger piece of land. What does this growth mean for you, both personally and professionally?
It means everything. Personally, it’s a dream come true; a reflection of the long hours, faith, and teamwork we’ve poured into this vision. Professionally, it’s proof that consistency pays off. Moving from small-scale farming to a full hectare at Monastery Farm has opened doors for us to plant more, employ more people, and make a bigger difference in our community. Our next goal is to expand to three hectares to meet the growing demand for our spinach, cabbages, and butternuts.
Your product currently serves the informal market. What have you learned from engaging directly with vendors, and how are you preparing to enter more formal markets?
Working with street vendors and tuck shops has taught us so much about people, their preferences, price sensitivity, and the importance of reliability. The informal market moves fast, and if your product isn’t fresh or affordable, feedback is immediate. This experience has helped us perfect our quality and service. As we grow, we’re preparing to supply formal outlets by improving our packaging, branding, and traceability while keeping our community vendors at the heart of our business.
Farming requires resilience and consistency. What keeps you motivated on the tough days when things don’t go as planned?
Our motivation comes from remembering why we started; to create food security and opportunities. On the hard days, we remind ourselves that what we do matters. Seeing families cook meals with our spinach or young people inspired to start their own gardens keeps us going. We also draw strength from each other as sisters. When one feels tired, the other lifts her up. Our faith, teamwork, and love for what we do keep us grounded through every challenge.
Who has supported or mentored you along this journey, and how has their guidance shaped your approach to farming?
We’ve been blessed with incredible support. Programs like Raizcorp’s Toyota Tiller 10, Momentum, and RAA have helped us grow as entrepreneurs and businesswomen. Their mentorship taught us to treat farming as both a science and a business, to understand our numbers, manage operations efficiently, and build sustainable systems. We’ve also had community mentors, ubabu Ngcobo, who shared practical wisdom, reminding us that patience and observation are key to success in agriculture.
As sisters in business, how do you balance your roles and make decisions together, does it strengthen your bond or create new challenges?
It’s both! Working together as sisters means we understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses, which helps us divide responsibilities naturally. Of course, we don’t always agree but our shared vision always brings us back to common ground. It has strengthened our bond in ways we didn’t expect. We’ve learned to separate business from personal life and to celebrate each win, no matter how small, as a team.
What is your long-term vision for your enterprise, and how do you see your role in shaping a new generation of women farmers in South Africa?
Our long-term vision for Imisebe Agri Services is to become a leading agribusiness that provides fresh produce, market access, and training opportunities for small-scale farmers especially women and youth. We aim to expand our land, invest in technology, and eventually supply retail chains while staying rooted in community development. Most importantly, we want young women to see that farming is not a “man’s job” it’s a field for innovation, leadership, and empowerment.
Looking back, what do you wish you knew when you started, and what message would you share with other young women considering a future in agriculture?
We wish we had known that growth takes time, that farming teaches patience as much as it teaches perseverance. In the beginning, we wanted quick results, but over time we’ve learned that every season has its lessons. To young women starting out, we’d say: start small, use what you have, and don’t be afraid to fail. Every setback is a lesson. Believe in your vision, seek support, and remember that you’re not just planting crops, you’re planting hope for generations to come.
For enquiries or to get involved:
📞 068 458 4343 / 083 513 6969
📧 Nokukhanyacele14@gmail.com
