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Celebrating 20 Years of Growth and Partnership in Nkomazi
This year, Akwandze Agricultural Finance celebrates 20 years of investing in the growth and prosperity of Nkomazi’s small-scale growers and the communities they support.
The name Akwandze means growth and abundance, a fitting reflection of an organisation that has spent two decades helping growers access the finance, technical support and infrastructure they need to build sustainable farming businesses.
Established in 2006 as a 50/50 partnership between Nkomazi small-scale growers and RCL FOODS, Akwandze was founded with a clear purpose: to provide growers with access to financial solutions tailored to their unique needs. What began as a small team of five has grown into a thriving organisation employing 34 people and supporting more than 1 000 growers across the region.
Over the past 20 years, Akwandze has secured more than R600 million in development finance, facilitated transactions exceeding R4.8 billion and helped drive a remarkable increase in small-scale grower production from 300 000 tonnes to 600 000 tonnes of cane.
Akwandze’s success extends far beyond finance. Through its partnership with TsGro, RCL FOODS’ other 50/50 joint venture with Nkomazi small-scale growers, the organisation provides agricultural extension support that helps growers improve productivity and sustainability. This service is made possible through an annual grant of nearly R13 million from RCL FOODS, demonstrating the company’s longstanding commitment to the success and sustainability of Nkomazi’s small-scale growers. The specialist support plays a vital role in helping growers maintain healthy, productive crops, adopt sustainable farming practices and build resilient farming operations. Its Bulk Water Service supports the maintenance of critical irrigation infrastructure across more than 5 200 hectares, helping ensure reliable water supply and stronger crop performance.
One of Akwandze’s most distinctive achievements is fostering a strong culture of saving among growers. Through its retention savings programme, growers collectively hold approximately R100 million in savings dedicated to future farming inputs such as seed cane and fertiliser. This commitment to long-term planning and sustainability accounts for around 60% of all retention savings in the South African sugar industry.
The organisation has also played a significant role in job creation and community development. Through Jobs Fund projects and transformation initiatives, Akwandze has helped create more than 1 800 jobs, bring 1 500 hectares into production and strengthen local agricultural infrastructure.
The milestone was formally commemorated on 29 October 2026 at the Mpumalanga Sugar Industry Imbizo, together with Deputy Minister of Agriculture Ms Nokuzola Rosemary Capa and Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Mr Zuko Godlimpi. The Imbizo brought together growers, government representatives and industry stakeholders to engage on the sustainability, competitiveness and continued transformation of South Africa’s sugarcane industry.
As Akwandze celebrates this important milestone, it remains committed to supporting growers, strengthening rural economies and helping build a resilient future for agriculture in Nkomazi.
Twenty years on, Akwandze stands as a powerful example of what can be achieved when growers and industry partners come together with a shared vision: growing what matters.
