If you are passionate about your business, you will thrive. Being in business must involve more than growing your bank account.
This is the belief of Mmule Matlala, CEO and founder of ZDF Matlala Holdings, a diversified food-production company.
"I've always enjoyed cooking food, and after school I wanted to go to a culinary school," recalls Matlala.
However, she opted to put her dreams aside for a "sensible" B. Tech degree in civil engineering, which she obtained from the Tshwane University of Technology. This is also where she met her now husband, Blessing.
After graduating in 2008, the couple obtained positions within Transnet, and seemed set for long careers in engineering. Within a few years, however, frustration had set in. Matlala found that her real passion still lay with food and cooking, and their hectic lifestyle was troubling her. At the time, she was working in Pretoria and her husband in Kempton Park.
"We almost always saw each other in passing. When I was coming home from my shift, Blessing was usually leaving for his." In 2016, by which stage their eldest child was two years old, she decided to prioritise her family's emotional health and happiness over their generous incomes. "I was done pleasing others, so I decided to resign and pursue my passion for cooking," she recalls.
At the time, she was already cooking on Saturdays and catering at functions. "This helped, as I had a thriving business before I resigned.
I finally registered the business in 2017." Three months after Matlala resigned, Blessing also left his job to join ZDF on a part-time basis as its operations manager. Today, his time is divided between ZDF and other business interests.
For the first few years, the company consisted solely of ZDF Foods Catering, and the Matlalas steadily built up a good reputation. Business was booming. And then COVID-19 hit.
AN ABRUPT HALT - AND A FRESH START
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Farmer's Weekly 18 November 2022 من Farmer's Weekly.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Farmer's Weekly 18 November 2022 من Farmer's Weekly.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Understanding eye conditions in horses: causes and first aid
A horse can get a swollen eye from bumping it against a tree, shaking its head to keep flies away, or even snake venom
IPM requires a completely different mindset
You need to investigate any beneficial insects that may appear on your plants, or you can purchase them
Does parrot farming protect wild species?
Those in favour of commercial captive breeding argue that breeding parrots to sell can relieve pressure on wild populations. Researchers Neil D'Cruze and Rowan Martin review the evidence.
Bacterial and fungal diseases of garlic
Garlic can be prone to bacterial and fungal diseases, and it's important that farmers are proactive in preventing infection and practise appropriate management. Magda du Toit reports.
Responsible wastewater management: a crucial part of farming
The inadequate management of waste water is a challenge that the agriculture sector needs to deal with. Magda du Toit spoke to experts in waste and water management about a cost-effective treatment system.
Technology that can help protect South Africa's farms
Farm attacks, murders, livestock and crop theft, and other rural crimes are a growing concern in South Africa. As a result, more and more farmers are turning to advanced security technology to protect their lives, properties, and livelihoods. Sinenhlanhla Mncwango spoke to experts about the security strategies that producers can adopt to combat these threats.
The impact of theft on farms in South Africa
A high number of livestock are being stolen every year in South Africa. Insurance is expensive and farmers are battling to find solutions to the problem, says Dr Lindie von Maltitz, agricultural economics lecturer in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State.
Staying afloat amid the cost-price squeeze
John Hudson, head of agriculture at Nedbank Commercial Banking, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the importance of environmental and social sustainability for a prosperous agriculture sector.
Free State has no reason to mark Transport Month
Free State Agriculture (FSA) is very concerned about the extremely poor state of rural paved and gravel roads in the province and has very little, if anything, to celebrate during Transport Month, which takes place every October.
SA's food system ‘vulnerable to climate change'
The Just Transition Agenda for Food System Policymaking in SA webinar, hosted by the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) in October, highlighted the role that South Africa’s food system plays in contributing to climate change and how vulnerable it is to the impact thereof.
