Our Story
History of Peulwana
Peulwana Agricultural Finance is a brainchild of the late Mrs Mantombi Msimang and Dr Romanus Monji. Both Mrs Msimang and Dr Monji had spent years working in the rural, agricultural, as well as entrepreneurial development sectors and were acutely aware that the agricultural sector in South Africa is unequal with emerging black farmers lacking the investment and resources to flourish due to only the privileged part of society still owning most of the land and therefore being the backbone of food production in this sector. In a bid to assist the South African government in trying to change this, in 2009 Peulwana Agricultural Finance was established as a vehicle that operates under the Micro Financial Institutions of South Africa (MAFISA) to provide financial support to the emerging farmers.
The foundation and driving principle of Peulwana Agricultural Finance arises from the realisation that true mass economic emancipation cannot happen without the development of the emerging farmer thereby transforming the rural communities and the emerging farmer into the mainstream of the economy.
From inception, we have always and continue to understand the space that the emerging farmers operate in and the various challenges they face every day. Over the past 10 years, Peulwana has supported more than 400 emerging farmers. We have given support to farmers in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, North West, Gauteng, Free State, and Northern Cape and the aim is to have a positive impact across all of the nine provinces in South Africa Peulwana is supported by the National Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development.
The company was born out of a realisation that true mass economic emancipation cannot happen without the development of the emerging farmer thereby transforming the rural communities and the emerging farmer into the mainstream of the economy.
Peulwana is committed to be the leading financial intermediary that provides affordable agribusiness finance to small-scale farmers as well as non-financial support. Our competitive advantage is that we understand the space that the emerging farmers operate in.
Over the past 10 years, Peulwana has supported more than 400 emerging farmers. We have given support to farmers in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, North West, Gauteng, Free State, and Northern Cape.
Peulwana is supported by the National Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development.
Our Founders
Mrs Ntombi Msimang
The Late Mrs Msimang is the founder Managing Director of Peulwana Agricultural Finance. Driven by a passion to uplift small-scale as well as women farmers, Mrs MaNtombi was at the forefront of SME development, mentoring and financing for the past 20 years. She was instrumental in founding and mentoring women’s networks such SAWEN (South African Women Entrepreneur’s Network), WARD (Women in Agriculture and Rural Development) and most recently African Women Entrepreneurs’ Program(AWEP-SA) whose global Patron is Hon. Hillary Clinton. From 1999 to 2003, MaNtombi was the Regional Manager for Oikocredit, a wholesale funder to microfinance institutions in developing countries. From 2004 to 2006 she was the Project Manager for the operationalization of the South African Microfinance Apex Fund (SAMAF). Prior to 1994, MaNtombi worked in Zambia, Kenya, Canada and Ethiopia in finance and, for the most part, in agro-industrial enterprises as a senior member of the management teams. MaNtombi was passionate about the integration of support services, both financial and technical, including access to markets, for the emerging farmer entrepreneur in Africa. Sadly Mrs Ntombi Msimang passed away in April 2014.
Dr Monji
Dr Monji is the co-founder/Chief Executive Officer of Peulwana Agricultural Financial Services. A farmer at heart, He is responsible for the designing of appropriate funding models and tools for small and medium farmers. Dr Monji assesses their potential and facilitates mentorship support, including affordable finance and market linkages. Dr Monji has a wealth of experience in Enterprise Development and appropriate funding models for SMMEs to underwrite their sustainability. Dr Monji is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the business.
Our Team
Founder & CEO
Dr Romanus Monji
Dr Monji is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Peulwana. He has a wealth of experience in Enterprise Development and appropriate funding models for SMMEs to underwrite their sustainability.
Operations Officer
Thami Nyandeni
Thami has a lot of experience in entrepreneur development, marketing, as well business experience. In his role Thami is the critical link between Peulwana, emerging farmers, and the MAFISA credit scheme in general.
Accounting
Dimakatso Podi
Ms Dimakatso Podi has been with the company since its inception. She is responsible for maintaining the day-to-day activities of the company. She supervises the management of the books, financial accounts, logistical arrangements and administrative services of the company. Dimakatso is a culturally sensitive individual who is fluent in most of the eleven official South African languages. She serves as the first point of contact with the clients and stakeholders of the company.
Admin Assistant
Malihu Seakamela
Malihu’s role is to give support to the accounting and administration function. She is a key support to new farmers wanting to know more and access Peulwana’s resources.