By Rethabile Nchee
In the remote, rugged mountains of Thaba-Tseka, Lesotho, a 63-year-old grandmother is proving that age is no barrier to ambition or impact. Mrs. Makhutlang Sepiriti, a seasoned farmer with over 30 years of hands-on experience, has become a local beacon of hope in the fight against food insecurity.
Growing up in a farming household, Mrs. Sepiriti recalls her childhood with warmth: the sound of cattle bells, the scent of tilled soil, and the certainty that no one in her home would ever go to bed hungry. “That’s where my love for the land began,” she says. Today, that childhood love has matured into a full-fledged passion—and a thriving agribusiness.
What began as a backyard vegetable garden has blossomed into a two-acre farming enterprise. Mrs. Sepiriti now produces a variety of crops including cabbage, spinach, red cabbage, and radish enough not only to feed her family but to supply local shops, street vendors, and even a school.
Her turning point came in 2022, when she realized her farm was producing more than her household could consume. With the support of local extension officers, she underwent training on market-oriented production and agronomic practices, equipping her with the skills to turn surplus into income.
Then came her breakthrough: Katlehong Primary School, located nearby, approached her to supply vegetables for their feeding program. Today, she delivers 114 kg of greens (locally known as moroho) weekly under a three-month contract, one that is likely to be renewed.
While the income from the school is welcome, Mrs. Sepiriti finds deeper fulfillment in knowing she is nourishing young minds. “The joy is in knowing that children are eating healthy meals, thanks in part to the work I do. That means more to me than the money,” she says with a smile.
With three grandchildren of her own, she is keenly aware of how agriculture can shape lives. Looking ahead, this vibrant grandmother isn’t slowing down. She calls her farming “a workout that blesses me richly” and hopes to see more youth embrace agribusiness. In a world where job opportunities are scarce and youth unemployment is high, she believes farming offers both purpose and protection from risky behaviors.
“Farming keeps you busy, keeps you focused. It gives back more than it takes,” she says.
Mrs. Sepiriti is not just cultivating crops she’s planting seeds of change, proving to her community and beyond that passion, resilience, and purpose don’t come with an expiry date.
The author is the Chief Research Officer in the Department of Agricultural Research, and also CCARDESA ICKM Focal Point Person for CCARDESA in Lesotho
