New Wohlstand

IRM
Since 07/2023 53 Episoden

Gugulethu Mahlangu

New Wohlstand

05.12.2023 62 min

Zusammenfassung & Show Notes

Gugulethu, a South African native and daughter of a miner and a nurse, shares her experiences growing up in a mining town, her academic journey, and her eventual gravitation towards agriculture. Despite initially studying agriculture at university as a means to an end, she later found a genuine connection to it, especially after volunteering on a farm.
Gugulethu's narrative includes challenges such as unemployment, redefining her identity, and the transition from studying human physiology, genetics, and psychology to embracing agriculture. She narrates her unexpected introduction to agriculture through volunteering, leading to a deeper understanding of herself and her passions.
Her entrepreneurial journey began with spinach farming, which thrived during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the resilience and potential of agriculture as a business. Despite initial struggles, including debt and crop damage due to weather conditions, she persisted and eventually diversified into aquaponics, leveraging an accidental mislabeling by the China Global Television Network. This mislabeling led to an opportunity with a German investor and her involvement in a commercial aquaponics farm.
Gugulethu highlights the role of women in agriculture, emphasizing their meticulous nature and their ability to think beyond business to community welfare. She discusses the importance of skills development and the integration of modern agricultural techniques like aquaponics for economic growth and sustainability.
Towards the end of the interview, Gugulethu touches upon the regenerative potential of agriculture, especially in transitioning communities reliant on mining to more sustainable practices. She emphasizes the need to respect and rejuvenate nature, envisioning an economic system where agriculture plays a central role in wealth creation and societal well-being.
Her vision of wealth is deeply connected to nature, land, and the nurturing of resources for long-term prosperity. Gugulethu's story is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and a deep connection to the land and community.