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Passion for farming is what drives a former teacher-turned business woman Ms Deliwe Ntebele-Mutlwane. Ntebele-Mutlwane is one of the finalists for the annual Technology for Women in Business Awards that will be hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), at the Mmabatho Convention Centre in Mafikeng, North-West on 31 October 2013.

Ntebele-Mutlwane (52) who is based in Delareyville, is nominated in the Very Small Category and she will also be contesting for the overall winner if she wins in her category. All winners in the awards will be crowned by the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe at the prestigious awards ceremony. Ntebele-Mutlwane says her nomination will encourage her to even work harder on the farm.

“It will also motivate the staff that has been working here since we started in 2010. Being recognised for what you do means that there are so much that you are doing positively in people’s lives and communities,” said Ntebele-Mutlwane.

Ntebele-Mutlwane, who has done numerous courses in farming to improve her skills, urges aspirant women entrepreneurs to get into farming and not look at it as a dirty job or male dominated sector.

“People have a perception that to be a farmer you have to be educated, rich and have a huge farm in order to succeed. All it takes is passion, drive and skills to make things happen. I love what I do and I live for farming,” added Ntebele-Mutlwane.

Ntebele-Mutlwane employs ten permanent staff on her farm and thirty seasonal workers, and has a standing contract with Botshelo Milling and Noordwes Kooperasie which she supplies with raw material for the production of finish product for maize meal.

The Technology for Women in Business (TWIB) is one of the programmes for the dti that plays a crucial role in supporting and promoting women entrepreneurs utilise technology to advance their businesses. Through this initiative, hundreds of women have benefited as it has enabled them to grow and sustain their businesses.