The agriculture sector has reacted with shock and sadness to the untimely passing of a leading figure in agriculture, Mrs Ntombikayise Msimang, or “Ma Ntombi” as she was affectionately known.
The South African Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Ms Tina Joemat-Pettersson, the African Farmers Association of South Africa (AFASA), Agri-sector Unity Forum (ASUF) and the entire South African agriculture community send their condolences to the family of Mrs Ntombi Msimang who passed away early this week.
Ma Ntombi's untimely passing has deeply shocked everyone who had the privilege to work with her. As we try to make sense of our loss, we wish extend messages of strength to her family and friends.
Ma Ntombi served as the Chairperson of the National Agricultural Marketing Council for the past five years, having been re-appointed by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for a second term as a result of her sterling work. In 2012, she was appointed as the Chairperson of ASUF where she assumed the daunting and historic role of creating a single structure for the entire agriculture sector to speak to government with one voice. Ma Ntombi also served as a council member of AFASA.
In all her portfolios, she led with a quiet and humble nature.
Ma Ntombi was instrumental in establishing the African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP) chapter in South Africa in 2014. She was a true spirited entrepreneur who managed all these portfolios with clear, decisive leadership.
We have all been positively lit up with her smile, generosity and warm nature and will sorely miss her.
* A memorial service for the Ma Ntombi Msimang will be held on Thursday, 17 April at 14h00 at the Kyalami Theatre on the Track at Kyalami in Midrand, Johannesburg. The funeral will be held on Saturday, 19 April 2014 starting at Rosebank Union Church, Corner Sandton Drive and William Nicol Drive at 09h00.
Lala kahle Qhawekazi, your spirit will live on.
Brief profile of Mrs Ntombi Msimang
Ntombi Msimang is the founder/managing director of Peulwana Agricultural Financial Services and the owner of Sunny View Farms. Her career in agriculture spanned over 30 years. She has worked for cooperative financial institutions like Oikocredit, and was once mandated by the Department of Trade and Industry to operationalise the South African Microfinance Apex Fund.
Prior to 1994, Ntombi worked in Zambia, Kenya, Canada and Ethiopia and, for the better part, in agro-industrial enterprises as a senior member of the management teams. Her passion for SMME development and mentoring emerging farmers has borne organisations such as South African Women
Entrepreneur’s Network (SAWEN), Women in Agriculture and Rural Development (WARD) and AgriVie Fund. In 2012, she was appointed Chairperson of the newly established Agri-sector Unity Forum (ASUF).
