Tweefontein D-At only 23 years old, Edward Sphiwe Nkosi from Tweefontein D has made history by winning the Business Pioneer and Future Leader Award at the Big Up Awards in Sasolburg, Free State, on 23 August. The award celebrates young people who are breaking boundaries and building a brighter future.
For Nkosi, this moment was more than just receiving a trophy. “It was a turning point in my life,” he says with pride. “Personally, it gave me the confidence to keep going, to dream bigger and never limit myself. Professionally, it inspires other young people to also believe that they can be leaders and entrepreneurs.”
He dedicated the award to his family, community and team. “Their love, support, and encouragement have carried me through. This achievement is not mine alone—it belongs to all of us,” he says with emotion.
Nkosi’s journey started with something very small, a school garden at Bongumusa Secondary School. What seemed like just a simple hobby became the seed of a lifelong dream.
“That small garden showed me the beauty of farming. It was then that I knew I wanted to grow food, not only for myself but for my community,” he recalls.
After finishing matric in 2022, Nkosi studied towards a Diploma in Grade R Education. But when jobs were hard to find, instead of losing hope, he chose another path. He turned to the land his family owned, determined to use farming to build a better future.
“The best part of farming is seeing life come out of the soil,” he smiles. “Watching crops grow, seeing customers enjoy what I produce, and knowing I am feeding my community, those are the moments that push me to keep going.”
In October 2024, Nkosi officially started Edward Agri, working on 20 hectares of land that had been passed down from his father. He chose to grow spinach and beetroot—two crops that were in high demand in Tweefontein, where most people had to buy them from other villages.
Today, Nkosi supplies fresh vegetables to local retailers like Boxer. His farm produces between 250 to 300 batches of spinach every month, and about 20 bulks of beetroot. His dream?
“I want to see my produce in big supermarkets like Shoprite and Checkers. One day, I want to export spinach and beetroot to other countries. Farming should not only feed villages-it should feed nations,” he says confidently.
Nkosi’s vision is bigger than his own success. His farm already employs four young people and hosts students from two learnership programmes. He even mentors a student from Tshwane University of Technology, giving them hands-on training to finish their studies.
“We started by giving free farming lessons,” he says. “Now we are getting ready to hire more young people permanently. My dream is for Edward Agri to one day employ over 80 workers. That way, we are not only farming food, we are farming hope and opportunities.”
From a small school garden to winning national recognition, Nkosi’s story is one of resilience, courage, and faith in his dreams. His journey reminds us that success grows from the ground up—with patience, hard work, and the support of a community.
“Entrepreneurship is not just about money, “he says. “It’s about creating opportunities, giving hope, and building a future where young people can stand tall.”
With his hands in the soil and his heart full of vision, Nkosi is not only growing vegetables, he is growing a brighter tomorrow for his community and beyond.
