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“It takes dedication, hard work and knowing your priorities to realise your destiny,” Zandile Maseko”

With these values, Zandile Maseko has realised her destiny and become a successful female tobacco farmer and proud owner of Carlton Curluie farm in Treawlney through the successful Zimbabwe Land Reform Programme.

Her farm boasts of 50 hectares of tobacco consisting of 30 hectares under full irrigation and 20 partly under irrigation. She currently employs over 100 people. The farm produces high grade tobacco leaf each season since 2002.

Maseko has become source of inspiration for many women as she now acts as a think-tank after becoming demonstrating how a hands on approach can yield success. She is a true testimony of how smart partnerships are essential for women who are aspiring to be farmers.

Maseko challenges women to venture into partnerships as coordinated smart partnerships translate to increased productivity.

“Start small, start wherever you are and where you can. Grow from there and make your mark.”

She urges women who have land but with no capital to consider forming partnerships to explore ways for them to fully utilise their land.

Maseko’s tips to fellow women

Break boundaries, there is no ‘man’s’ field, tell yourself what men can do women can also do.

• Be aggressive and grab opportunities.
• Don’t be afraid to follow your heart.
• Encourage yourself.
• Assist each other as women don’t degrade each other.
• Don’t be afraid to start something new.
• Prove yourself to be counted.
• Venture into partnerships.
• If you can feed your family why not the nation, tell yourself you can do it.

PROFILE

Zandile Maseko born and bred in Harare, grew up in Mufakose and later moved to Hatfield where her parents had a spacious yard. There her passion for farming began after witnessing how her mother was making money through the land.

When the Land Reform Programme started Zandile was in the United States and decided to come back and seeking to have a farm. Her hopes were realised and she aimed to make her mark in the farming community. At the time, she had her business projects which were providing an income but with the farm in hand, from 2002 that is where she settled.

Besides being a farmer, Zandile became a Councillor in ward 34 Trealawney, under Zvimba district. In 2018 she contested for to be a Member of Parliament.

“I would like to thank the government of Zimbabwe for giving me the opportunity to farm as I managed to educate my children through its, and all hold a Degree now.”