Breaking Barriers

A vision and determination drove one passionate woman who dared to do something different, becoming the first female mushroom farmer in her community.

Words Kai Coates

Sithembile Ndlovu, known as the Mushroom Queen, has a background in business management and always knew she wanted to start her own venture. However, mushrooms weren’t initially part of the plan. Having seen foraged mushrooms being sold on the side of the road, sparked her interest in providing a safer product – so she became the first female mushroom farmer in her community.

Her journey began in a garage, where she cultivated her first batch. Sadly, they did not sell well because the community did not understand which mushrooms were safe to eat. Instead of giving up, she saw it as a learning curve. Sithembile later moved her operations to two small rooms in the Assemblies of God church, where demand and sales to the right market outgrew the space quickly. Starting with just four stores, she now supplies nine local stores, all thanks to awards she received for her work, which has created recognition for her products.

Sithembile dreamed even bigger, looking for larger spaces to meet the increasing demand. Trying to transition from the church space to a tunnel-based farm was a significant step forward, but even during tough times of theft, she focused on rebuilding what she had. “Mushroom farming isn’t child’s play. The preparation work is tedious,” she explains. Power outages at the church also meant equipment failures, yet, her commitment to pushing through adversity has only strengthened her resolve. 

In an era where more families seek cleaner, sustainable food options, Sithembile is committed to organic farming. “We need to prioritise people’s health over profit,” she states. Her mushrooms are grown without harmful chemical pesticides, ensuring a truly organic product. Sithembile won the prestigious entrepreneurial competition held by the Ilembe Chamber of Commerce and it became a turning point in her journey. It was an opportunity for growth. “The competition aimed to develop entrepreneurs, and I truly believe I grew the most through it,” she says.

Beyond farming, she believes in empowering her community. She provides training and job opportunities, engaging with local families and businesses to create a strong support system. Her 15-year-old son has taken an interest in lab work, and she welcomes other young people to her farm, offering them hands-on skills that could shape their futures.

Her siblings have also played a vital role in her journey. They dedicate their time to helping with daily farm operations to ensure the business thrives. “Their support allowed me to rest, so I can keep going,” she says gratefully.

The next step in her journey involves scaling up production. She has already initiated lab processes to produce her own seedlings. She is currently focusing on oyster mushrooms but plans to expand into other varieties. While she already supplies major retailers like Spar Lifestyle, Spar Stanger, and Fruit & Veg Stanger, her goal is to establish direct relationships with culinary professionals. “Once I have enough products, I want to supply local restaurants and top chefs,” she says with confidence.

Sithembile’s vision extends beyond national borders. Although she had to forgo a training opportunity in India due to personal loss, she remains connected to the global agricultural community. Conversations with an AgriTech specialist in America have sparked her interest in vertical farming, an innovation she hopes to incorporate into her business. 

Sithembile’s story inspires aspiring entrepreneurs. It proves that with resilience, vision, and community support, any dream – no matter how unconventional – can grow into something extraordinary.

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