What started as a bold idea in a dusty field is now an industry shaking up South Africa’s agricultural landscape. Saffron is now being grown in South Africa!!!

Western Cape, South Africa (24 May 2025) – Every now and then, a story comes along that makes you stop, smile, and think, yes, this is the kind of innovation we need more of! That happened this week when Oranjezicht City Farm and Market shared a brilliant post about a man named Bennie Engelbrecht and his incredible local initiative… and suddenly, saffron is on everyone’s lips.

Yes, saffron. That delicate golden-red spice that feels more like treasure than seasoning.

The world’s most expensive spice is now being grown (successfully) right here in South Africa. In the dry, sun-scorched soil between Williston and Calvinia, on land that most had written off for anything other than sheep farming, a revolution is quietly blooming.

And it all started with a dream.

Back in 2013, Bennie Engelbrecht founded Saffricon, driven by an idea that might’ve sounded impossible at the time: what if South Africa could become a player in the global saffron market?

Bennie did his homework. He spent years researching why saffron, which thrives in Mediterranean climates, hadn’t taken off here yet. What he uncovered was surprising: not only could it grow here, it could flourish. Especially in areas devastated by drought.

The Karoo, particularly the Hantam region, became the heart of this project. A place that, in the Khoi language, literally means “where the red bulbs grow.” Fitting, right?

Historically, the local economy was built around sheep. But with an eight-year drought strangling farms and leaving communities desperate, it was clear: something had to change. Saffron, it turned out, could be that change.

“This country really needs something that can turn people’s lives around,” says Bennie. “Saffron can be planted on a small piece of land and could potentially change your life.”

You only need a quarter of a hectare to start. And the potential return is as much as R250,000 per kilogram at retail. Yes, you read that right. A single kilo of this so-called “red gold” could put food on the table, fund a child’s education, or help a struggling family get back on their feet.

But it’s not just about the cash crop… it’s about the community.

Saffricon has launched an empowering Outgrower Programme, a three-year initiative designed to bring emerging and rural farmers into the saffron economy. The model includes:

• Free saffron corms (bulbs)
• Hands-on training and mentorship
• Guaranteed buyback of both threads and corms
• Fast-growing plants — flowers appear just 40 days after planting
• Job creation through labour-intensive harvesting

Add to that the fact that saffron only needs 250–300mm of water a year, compared to 500–800mm for crops like maize or wheat, and you’ve got a water-wise solution tailor-made for South Africa’s climate. And the beauty of saffron doesn’t stop at its value. Every part of the plant has a purpose. The vibrant threads are used in cooking, the petals are used in cosmetics and medicine, and the corms multiply underground, becoming the farmer’s lasting asset.

It’s a crop made for resilience. Frost-resistant. Hail-resistant. And because the valuable part is underground, it’s less vulnerable to theft, a serious challenge for many South African farmers.

Corné Liebenberg of Laeveld Agrochem, a project partner, says it best: “Saffron grows in areas where other crops fail. This is a real opportunity – not only for big farms but also for smallholders looking for something new, something with real potential.”

The global demand for saffron already outstrips supply. South Africa has the climate, the skills, and, thanks to people like Bennie, the vision. All we need now is awareness and support. Thankfully, posts like those of the Oranjezicht City Farm and Market are doing just that!

The internet loved this story as much as we did… and the comments say it all.

“Such an awe-inspiring story & a blessing for South Africa. When people work together & share knowledge they can create great things.”

“Congratulations Bennie Engelbrecht!! Phenomenal good and uplifting news. Wow, we need you multiplied infinitely. Brilliant initiative and thank you for perseverance and appetite for new innovative crops. Feel good story!!”

“This is definitely good news and a wonderful initiative that can create employment opportunities in rural areas. Great job.”

This weekend, Bennie and the Saffricon team are showcasing their beautiful, locally-grown saffron at the Oranjezicht City Farm Market in Cape Town. And if you’re in the area, go. Ask questions. See the product. Support something extraordinary that’s growing in our own backyard.

This isn’t just about spice. It’s about resilience. It’s about innovation. And most importantly, it’s about South Africans finding new ways to thrive, even when the odds are stacked against them.

Because sometimes, the most powerful things grow from the hardest ground…  and sometimes, they bloom purple.

Sources: Saffricon South Africa | Oranjezicht City Farm and Market 

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post Saffron is Blooming in the Karoo… And So Is Hope! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Lebohang Dhludhlu transformed a dream into a thriving poultry business, defying stereotypes and creating opportunities for her community.

Mpumalanga, South Africa (05 August 2024)—Lebohang Dhludhlu is the proud founder of Nkanyezi Farming, a thriving poultry farm that is dedicated to feeding and empowering its community.

She spoke to The Good Things Guy about her passion for farming and how, through it, she is breaking barriers and making a difference in her community.

Lebohang always knew she wanted to start a business but wasn’t quite sure in what until she put her faith in God, who led her to an interest in chickens.

Making her mark in a male-dominated field

Lebohang admits that she didn’t have a background in agriculture but did have a lot of faith. She did her research and realised that the market for young black female farmers existed.

“Agriculture often carries a very male, very scruffy image. However, I and the many incredible female farmers I meet constantly show that agriculture can be alluring, too,” Lebohang shared.

She started running the business from her garage with her husband. Her supportive mother was the first customer who bought 50 chickens.

“We started selling to a few other clients in the area. Slowly, word got out about us; of course, my love for posting on social media didn’t hurt. As we grew, we tried to improve, started using professional abattoirs, and tried to grow our own chickens.

“We failed a couple of times. We partnered up with people who may not have been the best match for us. We did a lot of falling, but every time we got back up, we were better,” said Lebohang, who worked full-time for a while, juggling demanding workloads and her agricultural calling.

Playing her part in giving back

Lebohang’s impact extends beyond her business success; her commitment to giving back and uplifting others makes her a true inspiration.

She has managed to create job opportunities for ten permanent employees, a number that will likely rise with her upcoming expansion plans for the poultry farm as she wishes to “nourish the globe” and produce vegetables too.

“These employees are mostly young people who are eager to learn and willing to grow with us as a team.”

Going beyond the business of chicken, Lebohang and her team also managed to provide warm, cooked meals to 100 homeless people in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga, on Mandela Day, 18 July 2024.

Lebohang on defying the odds

Of course, running any project and business comes with a medley of challenges. For Lebohang, it has been struggling to access markets, high input costs, battles with transport infrastructure and avian flu outbreaks.

“Farming is a field that requires research; the more information you have, the better. I’ve never considered myself a one-stop-shop kind of person. I know and appreciate my strengths, and I’m always excited to be helped by someone with a different set of strengths.

“I believe in collective wisdom; I’m convinced that we are more effective when we collaborate so I try to find people I can partner with and learn from. When we do it that way, I’ve found it reduces the growing pains.”

Encouraging others to chase their dreams

According to Lebohang, dreams are what make humanity run.

Her journey is a powerful reminder that limitations are self-imposed and that with determination, even the sky is not the limit.

“We have technology, modern medicine, cars, global economies, black women running thriving farming businesses and so much more because people dared to dream.

“Imagine what incredible thing you could be denying the world if you don’t dare to chase yours,” the faithful farmer encouraged.

Sources: Nothando Mthembu / Lebohang Dhludhlu

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post Mpumalanga Farmer Goes From Humble Beginnings in Her Garage to Poultry Powerhouse appeared first on Good Things Guy.

The experts from Food and Trees for Africa and the African Climate Reality are serving up food for thought on how climate change impacts food systems and security, and more importantly, the solutions!

South Africa (17 October 2023) — World Food Day was celebrated yesterday, 16th of October. An annual collective of thoughts meant to inspire action, one of its primary aims is to raise awareness of the inequalities when it comes to access to nutritious food; i.e.: breaking down why food systems are in crisis for underserved communities, and figuring out what exactly contributes toward it.

But, before we can dive into the details, we need to understand the basics, with both broken down by Food and Trees for Africa’s Nicole Ras and the African Climate Reality Avantika Seeth.

How are Food Security and Climate Change Related?

When we talk about food security (the availability, accessibility and affordability of nutritious food), what we’re actually talking about is a fundamental human right.

However, climate change directly impacts food security and food systems, especially in developing countries. When climate-induced matters arise, access to food is impacted in the same way socio-economic factors (like rising food prices) impact accessibility.

Many experts will tell you that the incorporation of sustainable agricultural practices merged with climate education that relies on both contemporary and indigenous knowledge systems is key to addressing climate change and the inequalities entrenched in the global food system as it currently is. But, how do we get there?

Climate Change and Food

Climate change is a global cause of concern that demands far more attention than mere greenwashing.

The increasing concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is leading to a shift in average global temperatures, which in exchange causes extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, and heatwaves. These in turn, directly impact agricultural production.

Climate change is also a threat multiplier, which means that it exacerbates socioeconomic challenges that already exist (like poverty and food and water insecurity).

Accelerated climate change then, is more than just an environmental issue. Changes in rainfall patterns and temperature fluctuations affect many factors involved in crop growth and yield such as soil health, pest control, and sowing and harvesting cycles, which makes it increasingly difficult for farmers to predict weather patterns and produce enough food to meet the growing demand.

This, coupled with rising food prices across the world are some of the greatest threats to food security and are key in understanding the food system crisis.

As a result, communities in South Africa are already facing increased challenges in accessing nutritious food, combating hunger and lifting large portions of the population out of poverty.

For instance, approximately 55.5% (30.3 million) people live in poverty at the upper poverty line, and 20.7% of households engage in subsistence farming to feed their families. In 2021, about 2.1 million people (over 11%) of South African households reported experiencing hunger, despite the country’s substantial agricultural production.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), world hunger has increased from 150 million people since 2019 (pre-COVID-19 pandemic) to affecting 828 million people in 2021. Asia (with 425 million people affected) and Africa (with 278 million people affected) were the worst affected continents in 2022.

The Impact on Food Security

We understand then, that certain communities are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change on food security and their food systems.

In South Africa, subsistence farmers who rely on rain-fed agriculture for household food security are particularly at risk and they often lack the resources and infrastructure to deal with difficult conditions, leaving them susceptible to crop failures and food shortages. Additionally, marginalised and low-income communities face limited access to nutritious food due to rising food prices and disrupted supply chains caused by climate-related events.

Sustainable Farming: A Path to Food Security

Commercial agriculture makes use of monoculture methods requiring large-scale soil tilling, insatiable water use and the application of harmful pesticides and fertilisers contribute to the problem. Around 20 to 25% of global annual emissions originate from agriculture, forestry and land-use change alone – not including food transport and energy-intensive production processes.

According to the latest report released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), to have any chance of limiting the global temperature rise to around 1.5 degrees and avoid the most catastrophic effects of climate change, global anthropogenic emissions must be reduced by nearly half by the end of this decade.

To address global emissions in the context of agricultural production, sustainable farming practices become essential because they focus on maximising agricultural productivity while minimising environmental impact.

Methods such as conservation farming, agroforestry and agroecology, and permaculture, build resilient food systems that are less vulnerable to climate change at both commercial and subsistence levels.

These practices also recognise the value of indigenous knowledge systems and take a climate-centred approach to agriculture, thus promoting soil health, water conservation, and biodiversity, contributing to long-term food security.

Food & Trees for Africa (FTFA) explains that it offers a number of solutions to improve food security while protecting the environment in a way that mitigates climate change and supports those who are most vulnerable:

• Permaculture Starter Packs (PSPs) have been distributed to various areas across the country. They include tailored and phased training and mentoring for these communities and are one of the ways in which people can be encouraged and assisted to grow their own food in sustainable ways. These permaculture and bio-intensive approaches to agriculture are customised locally to suit the South African landscape.
• Supporting food security projects around the country and neighbouring countries, such as the Phawu Agripak Cooperative is another stretch of their involvement. This group of small-scale agriculturists recognise the importance of producing self-sustainable food systems while building climate awareness and taking climate action through greening and responsible water resource management. The cooperative’s strategic use of rainwater harvesting, greywater use and the application of swales for instance has led to their 1.3 hectares of land being exceptionally well cultivated over the years.

Strengthening Food Sovereignty

Food sovereignty means the right of communities to control their own food systems. It emphasises local food production, distribution, and consumption, promoting self-sufficiency and resilience.

Achieving food sovereignty also forms part of the solution to climate change because, at its core, it promotes principles that enable society to work with nature, rather than against it. By supporting small-scale agroecological farmers, promoting local food markets, and investing in community-led initiatives, food sovereignty can be strengthened and access to healthy and culturally appropriate food ensured, while also building African communities.

Addressing Food Prices and Inequality

Rising food prices due to crop loss and supply chain disruptions disproportionately affect low-income communities. A key example of this is reflected by the results of the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group’s (EDJG) Household Affordability Index, which compares monthly fluctuations in the price of a household food basket.

Released in September 2023, it tracked food price data from 47 supermarkets and 32 butcheries across South Africa and found a relentless increase in staple foods and nutritious vegetables.

In August 2023, the average cost of a household food basket was R5,124.34, which reflected an increase of R348.75 (7.3%), from R4,775.59 in August 2022 and a R42.40 (0.8%) month-on-month rise from R5,081.94 in July 2023.

However, the issue of inaccessibility and affordability reflects the interconnectedness of climate change, food security, and poverty and disproportionately affects vulnerable populations.

Food sovereignty, then, offers a path toward resilience and sustainability by placing control over food systems in the hands of local communities, empowering them to adapt to the effects of climate change while ensuring equitable access to nutritious and affordable food.

So, when people are supported to grow their own food in ways that not only improve the overall health of the population but also that of their immediate natural environment.

Existing farming knowledge and honouring indigenous practices in communities is also all-important and must be valued for their ability to address hunger and build resilience. Not to mention, civil society interventions play a big role in merging traditional wisdom with contemporary climate education and capacitating communities.

The importance of food security programmes and food sovereignty awareness campaigns cannot be undervalued in stimulating both social development and economic growth as communities are enabled to earn a living by harnessing their skills, thus reducing reliance on large-scale agriculture and expensive imports.

Sources: Nicole Ras; Avantika Seeth

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post Food for Thought! Navigating Climate Change and the Food Systems Crisis  appeared first on Good Things Guy.

With unemployment on the rise and food security becoming even more fragile, starting a business selling home-grown food is a brilliant way to survive and Ncumisa Mkabile is inspiring everyone that reads her story!

Cape Town, South Africa (06 November 2020) – A Khayelitsha entrepreneur could see her small business catapulted to new heights after being selected by Sunlight to be one of its More Than You Expect Heroes and receiving business support to the value of R200 000.

The COVID-19 pandemic could have destroyed her poultry farming enterprise, but 27-year-old Ncumisa Mkabile made a choice to pivot her business offering by growing, harvesting and selling home-grown spinach. It wasn’t her first choice, but Mkabile knew a winter crop would be the best way to use the land at the time.

It was only in May 2020 that Mkabile set out on her new business venture, but soon she had seven people working the farm to keep up with the unprecedented demand. It’s all part of the travel & tourism graduate’s long-term ambition to create and run her own independent farm to supply stock to retailers around South Africa while creating employment opportunities for those in her community.

Ncumisa already heads up a farming sector for the Khayelitsha Business Forum which aims to empower and educate local people on farming.

“My Community has been really supportive ever since I started my business,” she says, “They make sure that I get all the support from them first, before getting it from the world.”

Now that Sunlight has chosen Ncumisa to benefit from a substantial business support package, her dream could come true faster than she ever anticipated. Her investment includes; a Brownsense Business Training course, an irrigation system, an agricultural course, marketing services, farming supplies and a cash injection of R50 000.

“When I was told I was being selected, it felt like a dream. I actually had to ask myself multiple times if this was really happening to me. I feel like it still hasn’t sunk in, even though I’m starting to see things happening!”

Sunlight has been supporting women in their homes for generations, and the More Than You Expect Heroes campaign is an extension of that ethos. As part of the brand’s mission to deliver more than you expect, Sunlight launched the initiative to identify and support women entrepreneurs and small business owners who have shown strength and innovation in redirecting their businesses during this difficult time.
Women-owned businesses make up approximately 23% of the South African economy, but many have struggled due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown.

However, women like Ncumisa and her fellow More Than You Expect Heroes Carin Rhoode and Bontle Tshole have used creativity and ingenuity to pivot their business offering.

“This investment has already boosted my business,” explains Ncumisa, “Sunlight has helped me to install an irrigation system on my farm to kickstart my new project. The marketing has been amazing because I’ve been getting a lot of recognition. Soon I’ll be going on some courses to improve my knowledge of agriculture. I’d like to thank Sunlight for giving me this opportunity because now I can do more!”

“Hardworking, innovative and optimistic women like Ncumisa and our other Heroes play such a big role in our society. Not just through their businesses, but through the communities, families and individuals they support,” says Sunlight brand manager, Lerato Dumisa, “Just like Sunlight’s hardworking and innovative products, these women always seem to deliver more than you expect and we wanted to reward and support them to ensure they can keep being the bright lights in their communities.”

Sunlight is inviting South African women who own their own businesses to share their stories and stand a chance of taking their place alongside Ncumisa, Bontle and Carin as More Than You Expect Heroes. Five additional Heroes will be selected. Each will benefit from business support and resources to the value of R200,000. This includes market access opportunities, training and mentorship through Sunlight’s partners, BrownSense. As in Ncumisa’s case, a tailored approach will be adopted to meet each winner’s unique business needs.

To stand a chance of receiving more than you expect, enter the competition by clicking here.

1. How can women entrepreneurs enter the competition?
2. Visit the Sunlight website https ://www.sunlight.co.za
3. Click on the enter and win tab in the website menu.
4. Complete the form on the Gives You More page and submit in order to have a valid
   participating entry for the competition. Participants must complete the required fields on the competition application page (by submitting all the required information, including their name and mobile phone number) as well as the answer to all the questions.
5. Once they’ve submitted their entry, share a post on social media, tag @sunlightza, and tell their followers they’ve just entered using #MoreThanYouExpect
   Participants stand a chance to win R200 000 worth of resources, support, training and cash to support their business venture. Each winners profile will be looked at individually, and support will be tailored for their business needs.

Competition Duration

This promotional competition runs from 1st September 2020 to 31 November 2020 at 12 pm (the
closing date). Any entries received after the closing date will not be considered.

How will the winners be selected?

The finalists will be selected by the promoter based on how interesting and worthy their story and entry is, as well as if they meet the above criteria mentioned in section 8a of the T&C’s. Winners will be notified telephonically by the 15 December 2020 where the winner will be required to verify their details.

Sources: Ncumisa Mkabile | Sunlight 

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens or share your good news with us by clicking here. 

Click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast, with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes that there’s good news all around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll hopefully leave you feeling a little more proudly South African. 

The post Ncumisa Mkabile from Khayelitsha is a farming inspiration to all! appeared first on Good Things Guy.