Young farmer, Sasha Ndebele, eyes greater heights
Sasha Ndebele, right
Rising young farmer Sasha Ndebele from Matobo District, Matabeleland South, has expressed immense pride in her growing agricultural journey after successfully showcasing her products at the National Youth Empowerment Symposium recently held in Harare, a platform celebrating innovation, enterprise, and youth empowerment.
Representing Matobo with support from Mercy Corps, Sasha was part of a diverse group of young entrepreneurs who exhibited products and exchanged ideas on market linkages, business innovation, and sustainable livelihoods.
The highlight for her was showcasing processed small grains from Matobo, which continue to gain recognition for their nutritional value and climate resilience.
Sasha exhibited a range of products, including sun-dried vegetables (mfushwa), roasted millet (nyawuthi gigiweyo), millet meal (mpuphu yamabele), finger millet (uphoko), and detergents all reflecting her dedication to sustainable, locally-driven farming and value addition.
“The experience was amazing. I met so many people, learned a lot, and grew both personally and professionally.
“It inspired me to aim higher and improve my standards. One day, I hope to win an award myself,” she said.
Her motivation was further fueled by a previous business category award winner from Glytime, whose success story left a lasting impression on her. Sasha herself was recognized in the social impact category during the same period.
“Meeting him really pushed me to work harder,” she said.
She also drew inspiration from other entrepreneurs, including those from WILD, whose product packaging she found impressive.
Despite facing challenges such as limited quantities of the high-demand finger millet (uphoko) and not having business cards Sasha managed to sell all her products, crediting her confidence, passion, and perseverance for the success.
Based in Matobo District, an area known for its low and erratic rainfall, Sasha faces tough conditions that make farming a challenge. Water scarcity limits her crop yields, forcing her to rely on drought-resistant varieties such as millet and sorghum.
The dry climate also affects soil fertility and crop rotation, making consistent production difficult without irrigation.
Balancing production with value addition such as processing and packaging millet requires more capital and machinery than she currently has. Despite these challenges, Sasha remains optimistic, determined to grow her agribusiness and continue inspiring other young women in her community.
“I’m a good seller,” she said with a smile.
“Even without business cards, people were interested. The support I’ve received from Camfed, Mercy Corps, the Ministry of Youth and Women, and MYDI has been invaluable.”
Mercy Corps, a global humanitarian and development organization, has been instrumental in supporting young entrepreneurs like Sasha through programs that promote resilience, agribusiness training, and climate-smart farming. In Zimbabwe, the organization focuses on empowering youth and women in rural areas, encouraging small grain production in drought-prone districts such as Matobo to strengthen food security and local economies.
Reflecting on her networking experience, Sasha admitted she could have done even better if she had stayed at her table longer. However, she said moving around helped her meet more people and build valuable connections. She also enjoyed engaging with attendees in Ndebele, as well as mixing in Shona and English, which made the experience more inclusive and enjoyable.
“I made new friends from the Mashonaland region, and now we talk about business every day,” she said.
With her sights now set on expanding production, improving packaging, and enhancing her branding, Sasha remains determined to grow her enterprise and inspire other young women to venture into agriculture.
