Gugulethu Mahlangu

Gugulethu, a South African native and daughter of a miner and a
nurse, shares her experiences growing up in a mining town, her
academic journey, and her eventual gravitation towards
agriculture. Despite initially studying agriculture at university
as a means to an end, she later found a genuine connection to it,
especially after volunteering on a farm.


Gugulethu's narrative includes challenges such as unemployment,
redefining her identity, and the transition from studying human
physiology, genetics, and psychology to embracing agriculture.
She narrates her unexpected introduction to agriculture through
volunteering, leading to a deeper understanding of herself and
her passions.


Her entrepreneurial journey began with spinach farming, which
thrived during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the resilience
and potential of agriculture as a business. Despite initial
struggles, including debt and crop damage due to weather
conditions, she persisted and eventually diversified into
aquaponics, leveraging an accidental mislabeling by the China
Global Television Network. This mislabeling led to an opportunity
with a German investor and her involvement in a commercial
aquaponics farm.


Gugulethu highlights the role of women in agriculture,
emphasizing their meticulous nature and their ability to think
beyond business to community welfare. She discusses the
importance of skills development and the integration of modern
agricultural techniques like aquaponics for economic growth and
sustainability.


Towards the end of the interview, Gugulethu touches upon the
regenerative potential of agriculture, especially in
transitioning communities reliant on mining to more sustainable
practices. She emphasizes the need to respect and rejuvenate
nature, envisioning an economic system where agriculture plays a
central role in wealth creation and societal well-being.


Her vision of wealth is deeply connected to nature, land, and the
nurturing of resources for long-term prosperity. Gugulethu's
story is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability,
and a deep connection to the land and community.