I was born in Springs in 1958 and lived there until I got married and moved to Benoni. I had three children, though one passed away early, leaving me with Thabang and Lerato. Tragically, Thabang later passed away, followed by my husband three months later. Despite these losses, my daughter and I have continued to carry the family businesses forward, striving to build a better life with what we have.
The person who shaped me most as a young woman was my mother. She gave me strength, guidance, and the foundation I needed to navigate life’s challenges. Growing up, my dream was to become a teacher, but life led me down a different path. After getting married, I stayed home to support my husband in his businesses. Eventually, we opened various enterprises together, and I began learning the intricacies of running them.
Before Roadgrass, my life was full and busy, managing our grocery store, and I was happy in that space. My first introduction to farming came with Roadgrass itself — we started with chickens, goats, sheep, and cows, and later expanded into growing vegetables. Looking back, those early experiences prepared me well for a life in farming and business. I learned not only the practical skills but also the importance of creating opportunities for others, providing jobs for people from the township who needed work, many of whom have stayed with us ever since.
The idea of starting a poultry farm came when a friend of Ashley’s wanted to sell a farm. Ashley bought it, and that’s where it all began. We started with chickens, then gradually added sheep and cows. My late husband was the driving force behind taking the leap into this business in 2007. He believed in the potential, was ready for the challenge, and embraced the entrepreneurial spirit fully.
The early days were challenging because none of us knew much about farming. We were fortunate to secure a contract with Early Bird, which continues to this day. Over time, we learned the business, expanded operations, and continued to grow the farm while remaining committed to the people and contracts that helped sustain us.
The names Ashley and Thabang for the two sides of the farm honour my late husband and son. They were deeply involved in the business and considered it their “baby,” so we retained the names as a way to remember and celebrate them.
Thabang played a significant role as a director, particularly in managing the chicken farm, stepping in whenever needed. Lerato was more at home during those early years, helping occasionally when her father asked, but gradually growing into her own leadership role. Building something so significant with my family was a source of pride and gratitude. My husband motivated us to engage in everything he did, from our grocery store to the pub and eventually Roadgrass.
The early years were never smooth. My husband handled the business’s day-to-day challenges, especially financing, and over time, we learned how to manage and sustain it. There were moments of doubt, when we questioned whether the business could survive, but my husband’s determination and strength kept us moving forward. His resilience was a constant reminder to carry on, regardless of the difficulties we faced.
Looking at Roadgrass today fills me with pride. Despite the loss of my husband and son, the business continues to thrive. I am most proud of the people who work with us — they are capable, dedicated, and help ensure the farm and its contracts, like Early Bird, remain successful.
While I am less involved in the day-to-day management now, I trust my daughter Lerato to lead, and I have watched her grow into the role with confidence. My leadership has evolved from active involvement to guidance and support, trusting the next generation to carry the vision forward.
My hope for the farm is simple: that it continues to thrive, not just for us, but for the workers and community who depend on it. I want the next generation to carry on this legacy with the same dedication and love.
To my grandchildren and future farmers, I would say this: whatever you do, do it with love and passion. Success comes from caring deeply about the work you put your hands and heart into.