George George Idowu
In 2022, Mary-Ann Palayandi’s life took an unexpected turn, propelling her from the high-paced world of corporate life into the fields of farming.
A successful corporate professional, Palayandi never envisioned herself trading boardrooms for open land. But when her daughter, Marie-Louise Mabena, fell gravely ill, her priorities shifted drastically. What began as a journey to support her daughter’s new lifestyle became a mission that transformed her life.
Marie-Louise’s health struggles spurred dreams of creating a small-scale farming project to support her dietary needs. Palayandi, deeply moved by her daughter’s vision, decided to leave her corporate career and bought a farm in South Gauteng in 2022.
“When my daughter fell ill, I decided to leave my corporate job to support her where she needed me,” she recalls.
Tragedy struck again in June 2023 when Marie-Louise passed away, leaving behind her dream of the farm. Heartbroken, Palayandi was at a crossroads. The farm was both a painful reminder of her loss and an opportunity to honour her daughter’s dream. Determined to keep her daughter’s spirit alive, Palayandi continued the journey they had started together.
What began as a small-scale farming initiative has since grown into Sweetwater Farmers, a co-operative farming operation on 8.5 hectares of land in Walkerville, South Gauteng.
Today, the farm produces crops such as dhania, spinach, cabbage, and onions. Their market, though still informal, spans areas like Soweto and Eldorado Park. Palayandi takes pride in their produce, especially their spinach, which customers praise for its crispy texture and high quality.
The road to establishing Sweetwater Farmers has been anything but smooth. Early on, they diversified into pig farming, starting with five large white pigs. By 2023, their herd had grown to about 40, but while attending a funeral out of town, Palayandi returned to find that thieves had stolen more than 15 pigs.
“The structure was secure, but thieves managed to jump over and steal them,” she says. To prevent future losses, they plan to install an electric fence and consider additional security measures like CCTV cameras, as theft has been a recurring problem.
Other challenges arose in the form of rising costs. Their attempt at raising chickens for egg production had to be abandoned due to the high cost of feed. “A bag of feed costs R380, and we needed about 10 bags per week,” Palayandi explains, highlighting the financial burden. Yet, despite these setbacks, Palayandi has persevered, determined to see Sweetwater Farmers thrive.
Palayandi has embraced organic farming methods, a crucial aspect of her vision for Sweetwater Farmers. The farm uses natural pesticides like garlic and chillies, and they enrich the soil with food scraps and kraal manure. This commitment to sustainability aligns with Palayandi’s desire to produce healthy, organic food while caring for the environment.
Not all efforts have been successful, though. Early in their farming venture, an accidental contamination of their spinach crop forced them to remove and replant everything. “We had to remove everything, nurture the soil, and treat it,” she says. But Palayandi’s resilience has been unwavering. Today, the soil is healthy again, and their crops are flourishing.
Palayandi’s transformation from corporate professional to farmer hasn’t been without preparation. She has equipped herself with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed, completing short courses at Tshwane University of Technology. These courses provided her with practical expertise in areas like tunnel and shade net production, beekeeping, aquaculture, and nursery management.
“The short courses taught me how to test my soil, make beds, plant correctly, and know when to harvest. A big one was learning how to make a profit,” she shares.
Beyond her farming endeavours, Palayandi is passionate about giving back to her community. Originally trained as a social auxiliary worker, she has always had a heart for helping others. Today, she invites older women from the community to the farm, where they gather for coffee, motivational discussions, and even massages from a qualified therapist. “When I see these women having fun and forgetting their home problems, I feel good,” she says. For her, it’s all about creating a space of joy and connection. A space she hopes will grow into something even bigger.
Palayandi’s vision extends beyond her farm. She is committed to involving the next generation in agriculture, not just as a way of life but as a viable business opportunity. Sweetwater Farmers plans to teach young people how to grow food, with practical and business training. For Palayandi, it’s not just about farming it’s about empowering youth to take control of their future through sustainable agriculture.
The journey from corporate heights to farming fields has been fraught with challenges, but Palayandi remains undeterred. In every struggle and every triumph, she sees her daughter’s dream carried forward. Sweetwater Farmers is more than a business it’s a legacy, a tribute to a daughter’s dream, and a mother’s undying love.