Grit, greens, and good business: the rise of Zandile Kumalo

Successful hydroponics farming is about more than just the ability to harvest a quality crop. As a capital intensive industry, it also requires collaboration, flexibility and negotiating skills to raise funding and establish the operation. Lindi Botha spoke to farmer Zandile Kumalo about her journey to hydroponics success.

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The notion of rooftop farming in a city centre is the epitome of farm to table production.

It solves one of the major challenges faced by many farmers; proximity to the market. If done in a greenhouse, it also protects the crop from the elements.

The property developers, on the other hand, are able to generate an income from unused space, provide green areas in a concrete jungle, and meet a few environmental and social commitments along the way.

IF ONLY IT WERE THAT SIMPLE

Zandile Kumalo approached 19 shopping centres before finding a property that was suitable, and agreeable to a rooftop farm.

“Most rooftops of commercial buildings in South Africa are made from corrugated iron, and can’t support the weight of a hydroponic system. Furthermore, a farm can’t afford the same rent as other tenants because of the slimmer margins, so we need to negotiate discounted rates. But we do bring benefits for the centre and it is important to be clear about that when negotiating the lease. It’s not easy to get a ‘yes’ from a shopping centre,” Kumalo points out.

In Kumalo’s search for suitable premises, she came across Morningside Shopping Centre, just as they were investigating the possibility of a rooftop farm. This two-storey building in Johannesburg was initially planned with a third level.

Although it didn’t materialise, it did mean that the roof had the necessary capacity to carry a hydroponic farm. In 2020, Kumalo entered into a joint venture with the centre to establish Neighbour Roots, and erecting the 300m² farm.

The partnership was a necessary step to make the farm a reality. Having a flexible mindset is a trait Kumalo highlights as vital for success.

“You need to have an open heart so that you can enter into partnerships when you need to. We all want full control over our businesses, but in an industry that is so capital intensive, you either work with someone, or not at all.