SA youth driven by passion, finds success as poultry farm manager

Mpho Nemukula, poultry farm manager, Sovereign Foods

Nemukula, age 34, said that despite the many challenges facing the youth of today, from being victims of crime, unemployment, substance abuse and peer pressure, they should find something that they love and go after their dreams.

Soluting Youth Day

Nemukula, like many other South Africans, took time to honour the deaths of the Soweto schoolchildren of 1976 that changed the course of South Africa’s history. “Youth day is very important for me. I appreciate the lives that were lost in order for me to get a quality education and to be where I am today. I shall forever be grateful and salute this day,” she said.

...be true to yourself, what you think is what you become, and lastly, don’t try to fit in, but try to be unique.

Her messages of inspiration to the youth are to “be true to yourself, what you think is what you become, and lastly don’t try to fit in, but try to be unique.”

Gender shouldn't matter

Nemukula was born in Nzhelele Village in Limpopo Province. With three brothers, she admits to growing up as a tomboy. “Having grown up with my three brothers I realised very early in life that gender shouldn’t matter and that I can do anything that I love doing. In high school I learned about agriculture and decided to get involved in this male-dominated industry.”

She started working as a trainee student at Sovereign Foods 10 years ago. From there she became a farm supervisor. Thereafter she was promoted to a successful farm manager. This was followed by another promotion to a senior farm manager. Today she is an area manager responsible for the management of three farms and over 140,000 broiler breeder chickens.

“Sovereign Foods helped to further my education by investing in my enrolment in a Management Development Programme at NMMU Business School. I graduated last year. This programme has helped me a lot as a young female leader. I have learned a lot about management skills, how to deal with or lead any group regardless of age or whether they are men or women.”

Facing the challenges

Despite her successes, her career has not been without its challenges.

After completing her studies at Tswane University she thought she was strong enough to handle the agricultural sector. However, she learned the hard way just how difficult the industry can be. “I was a young woman leading older men. This was really challenging and still is. Men tend to undermine your authority and challenge your skills. I overcame this through the support from my team and the company values. The leadership course that I completed has also been really helpful in dealing with these challenges.

“I love my team especially my boss Nathan Smith. I wouldn’t even call him a “boss” but he is my coach, mentor, and a friend.”

...nothing is impossible. If you love farming, go for it. We can actually make it a female-dominated field in a few years...”

She encourages the youth to consider farming as a career. “Farming is a very good career that the youth, including women, should consider. There are not enough women in this industry.

“To pursue a career in farming you should love it first. One needs to graduate with a diploma or degree in agriculture, coupled with a management or leadership diploma,” she noted.

Her advice for women and youth who want to enter a male-dominated field is that “nothing is impossible. If you love farming, go for it. We can actually make it a female-dominated field in a few years.”