Hlobisile Bathabile Yende

What does your company do?

The Yende and Partners (Pty) Ltd is a proudly South African, female-led agribusiness rooted in three generations of farming heritage. We specialize in livestock (beef and lamb), grains, and agro-processing, with a strong focus on producing high-quality weaner calves and value-added meat products that meet formal market standards. We are not just farmers — we are food producers, job creators, and changemakers. Our business supplies to leading markets like Karan Beef and Afgri, while also running an award-winning, AgriSETA-accredited student programme that empowers and trains young female agricultural students from across the country. We are building a sustainable and traceable agricultural value chain that feeds the nation, uplifts women, and inspires the next generation of farmers.

What is your biggest success?

Our biggest success has been building a business that creates both economic and social impact. We launched an accredited, award-winning student programme that empowers and mentors third-year female agricultural students across South Africa — one of whom now manages our farm and owns her first livestock. In 2024, we were honoured as Gauteng's Best Smallholder Farmer and received the MEC's Special Award. We also placed 3rd nationally in the Jacaranda FM & Access Bank Her Perfect Pitch competition. Each of these recognitions came with monetary rewards, which we strategically reinvested to scale our operations. This enabled us to successfully integrate a third commodity and secure supply agreements with two of South Africa’s largest retailers. These milestones are not just personal wins — they’ve accelerated our mission to build a scalable, inclusive and competitive agribusiness that feeds markets and develops future leaders in agriculture.

What has been your biggest hurdle?

Our biggest hurdle has been operating and growing a farming business without consistent access to water — a challenge that affects productivity and planning. Despite this, we’ve managed to maintain operations and expand year after year through smart resource use and resilience. Another major setback was the unexpected loss of one of our top-performing stud bulls, a critical asset in our breeding program. This forced us to redirect funds and revise our budget mid-year to acquire a new bull — an investment we hadn’t planned for. Like many farmers, we’ve also faced erratic weather patterns, rising input costs, and delays in veterinary support and vaccine availability. Each of these challenges could have halted our progress, but instead, they’ve sharpened our adaptability and strengthened our vision for long-term sustainability.