From Attorney to Farmer: How Kuhlula is Farming Her Way to Success
Viable News Team 
Wednesday, 03 September 2025 – 16:50pm
JOHANNESBURG – When people imagine a successful attorney, the picture that comes to mind is often a sharp mind in a black gown, delivering arguments in court or negotiating high-profile deals. But for Kuhlula Ndhima, that image is now part of her past. At 40, she turned her back on a thriving law practice and chose an entirely different path farming.
Today, she runs Ndhima Farm Holdings, a 36-hectare farm nestled in Tzaneen, Limpopo, where rows of mangoes, oranges, macadamia nuts, tomatoes, and green peppers stretch across the land. Alongside her crops, Kuhlula has built a thriving poultry business with nearly 5,000 hens, an operation that keeps her farm’s cash flow steady and sustains her growing agricultural venture.
A Leap of Faith
Kuhlula’s decision to trade legal documents for farming boots was not made lightly. For years, she had established herself in the legal field, but she felt a strong pull to create something more tangible, something that would not only sustain her but also uplift her community.
“I had no agricultural background. Everything I know today, I had to teach myself,” she told eNCA. “I read, I asked questions, I visited other farms. I built my knowledge from scratch.”
That determination has been the backbone of her success story – and her resilience in an industry not known for being forgiving.
The Hard Reality of Farming
Starting from scratch came with significant challenges. Access to knowledge was the first hurdle, but once she overcame that, funding and market access became her biggest obstacles.
“Everything I’ve done has been from my own pocket,” she explained. “Sometimes I make losses on the vegetables, then I have to take from my pocket. But I still enjoy what I do because I have an opportunity to create employment for local women, give young people a place to do practicals to gain skills, and also contribute to food security.”
Her farm now employs several local workers, with women making up a large portion of her staff. For many, Ndhima Farm Holdings has become more than a workplace; it is a lifeline.
Battling Barriers in a Male-Dominated Industry
While farming has offered opportunities, it has also placed Kuhlula in a male-dominated space, where female farmers are often undermined or overlooked. She admits that some workers have tried to take advantage of her, assuming she lacks the toughness to manage large-scale agricultural projects.
But Kuhlula remains undeterred. “It takes will and desire to succeed and get to where I am,” she said. Her resilience has not only earned her respect but also positioned her as a role model for other women aspiring to break into the agricultural sector.
The Market Conundrum
One of her biggest ongoing struggles is not production, but distribution. Getting produce to markets requires logistics and capital – two resources that small-scale and self-funded farmers often lack.
“Accessing markets is not impossible, but getting your products there requires money. Transport, packaging, and compliance with regulations are all expenses that add up,” she explained.
Her story echoes that of many South African farmers, who remain locked out of lucrative markets due to financial constraints and systemic barriers.
Farming for the Future
Despite these challenges, Kuhlula says farming has been deeply rewarding. Beyond profits, she values the opportunity to create jobs, mentor the youth, and contribute to the fight for food security in South Africa.
With the upcoming G20 Summit on the horizon, she hopes discussions around land, market access, and agricultural funding will take centre stage not only for South Africa but across all member states.
“There are thousands of women and young people like me who want to farm,” she said. “What they need is support, access to land, and fair entry into markets.”
A Story of Courage and Transformation
Kuhlula’s journey from the polished halls of law to the rugged fields of farming is one of courage, resilience, and vision. Where many see obstacles, she sees opportunities to innovate, to employ, to feed, and to inspire.
Her story is a reminder that success is not bound by one profession. It can be found in courtrooms or in fields of mango trees and macadamia nuts as long as there is passion, grit, and a refusal to give up.
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