Renshia Manuel started planting vegetables in her own garden to feed her family, sparking a business idea that would eventually benefit the entire community of Hanover Park in Cape Town, and beyond.
Thanks to her winnings, Renshia has been able to implement some much-needed security measures at the GrowBox nursery after an unfortunate incident of theft and vandalism. Happily, ‘since then, we’ve managed to increase the nursery capacity by 60%.’ And the development of the GrowBox flat-pack range is progressing swiftly. ‘We enter into the testing phase of the prototype within the next four months.’
Renshia has also experienced remarkable personal growth since her win. ‘I’m studying plant production and farm management part-time. I have no formal qualifications but needed to find a course that would enhance my skills and farm management capabilities. I am super proud of this.
‘My journey with SANTAM FAIRLADY Women of the Future has been remarkable. I am eternally grateful for the opportunities the competition has presented me with. It has connected me with a phenomenal network of corporate and social investors who are helping to boost our impact on the most vulnerable of communities,’ she says.
Going forward, she hopes to see her three part-time employees become full-time workers, and to establish a national footprint with two franchises: one each in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape. ‘We also hope to establish an e-commerce site for online clients across the world,’ she says.
‘I am humbled and blessed by this award,’ she says. This award has definitely been the highlight of my career; it’s also motivated me to…make a social impact nationally, and in Africa. It’s an incredible platform for women, by women – empowering and celebrating local businesswomen.’
‘This award has definitely been the highlight of my career; it’s also motivated me to…make a social impact nationally, and in Africa.’
Website: http://www.growboxnursery.com