BY PHESHEYA KUNENE – Editor
GUNDVWINI – In the quiet plains of Gundvwini, just a short drive from the bustling city of Manzini, lies a story of grit, growth, and green ambition. Here, amid the neat rows of spinach, onions, and maize, a young man is sowing more than seeds, he’s cultivating a movement.
Meet Thabiso Dlamini, the 28-year-old agripreneur behind Sobo Farm, a thriving agricultural enterprise that has grown from a modest horticultural venture into a dynamic agribusiness brand reshaping Eswatini’s farming landscape.
When Agribusiness Media visited his farm, Dlamini, dressed in his dusty overalls and a smile that spoke of long days under the sun, paused from inspecting his crops to share his story, one that began in 2019 with little more than a dream and determination.
“It all began with passion,” he said. “I’ve always loved agriculture, and starting Sobo Farm was my way of turning that love into something tangible, something that could feed people and create opportunities.”
A Seed Planted in Passion
Sobo Farm started as a small horticultural project growing vegetables and fruits on family land. Like many young farmers, Dlamini faced countless hurdles, from limited funding to navigating unpredictable markets. But he refused to let obstacles define him.
“The journey was tough,” he admitted. “Access to funding, technical skills, and finding reliable markets were real challenges, but they also shaped my character. Every failure became a lesson.”
Today, the once-small farm boasts a vibrant mix of crops and livestock, including spinach, beetroot, lettuce, onions, maize, beans, chickens, goats, turkeys, and cattle, all produced under a vision grounded in sustainability and innovation.
Farming Smart, Thinking Big
Dlamini is not your ordinary farmer. He’s also an academic, currently completing his degree in Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management at the University of Eswatini (UNESWA).
He speaks passionately about the future of farming, one that is driven by data, technology, and education.
“Farming isn’t just about the hoe and the field anymore,” he said. “It’s about business models, climate-smart practices, and entrepreneurship. The more you learn, the more you realize farming is science, economics, and art combined.”
His commitment to sustainable agriculture has inspired him to mentor others. Through Sobo Farm’s consultation services, Dlamini trains and advises aspiring farmers across the country, many of whom now run their own small farms.
“There’s a serious knowledge gap in agriculture,” he explained. “Many people start farming without understanding the basics of soil health, market demand, or planning. I want to change that.”
Growing Beyond the Farm
Beyond cultivating crops, Sobo Farm has become a hub for empowerment in Gundvwini. It creates seasonal employment, supports small vendors who resell its produce, and contributes to local food security.
“It’s not just about profit,” Dlamini said, his tone softening. “It’s about people. Seeing someone feed their family or start a small business with the produce they buy from us, that’s the real reward.”
Innovation Takes Root
Sobo Farm is now preparing for its next big step, which is installing greenhouse tunnels to boost productivity year-round. Dlamini said the farm is applying for funding to support this expansion, confident that innovation will sustain growth even amid changing weather patterns.
“Innovation isn’t just a fancy word,” he said. “It’s survival. It’s how we adapt and keep feeding our people when conditions change.”
The Man Behind the Tractor
When he’s not knee-deep in soil, Dlamini swaps gumboots for gym shoes. A fitness enthusiast and car lover, he laughs about his other passions, heavy lifting and heavy machinery.
“Farming keeps me strong, but the gym keeps me disciplined,” he joked. “And I’ve always loved tractors, they’re the real beasts of the land.”
But beneath the charm and ambition lies a man driven by purpose and grounded in humility.
Eyes on the Future
Looking ahead, Dlamini dreams of something even bigger, establishing a secondary school focused on smart agriculture. His goal is to empower the next generation of farmers to approach agriculture as both science and enterprise.
“Our future depends on how we treat agriculture,” he said firmly. “If we teach our youth to love the land and use their minds to manage it wisely, Eswatini will never go hungry.”
From a single plot in Gundvwini to a growing agribusiness with regional potential, Sobo Farm stands as a symbol of what passion, patience, and purpose can yield.
In a country where agriculture remains the heartbeat of the economy, Thabiso Dlamini is proving that the future of farming is not only fertile but it is also fearlessly young, inspired, and determined to grow.
FACT BOX: Sobo Farm at a Glance
Founded: 2019
Founder: Thabiso Dlamini
Location: Gundvwini, Manzini Region
Main Activities: Horticulture, Livestock farming, Agricultural consulting
Crops: Spinach, Beetroot, Lettuce, Onions, Maize, Beans
Livestock: Indigenous chickens, Turkeys, Goats, Cattle
Vision: To establish a secondary school focused on smart agriculture
