Akwandze Agricultural Finance is celebrating 20 years of empowering small-scale sugarcane growers, supporting rural development and driving economic growth in the Nkomazi region.

The milestone will be formally commemorated on 29 October 2026 as part of 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 will bring together growers, government representatives and industry stakeholders to engage on the sustainability, competitiveness and transformation of South Africa’s sugarcane industry.

Derived from a word meaning growth and abundance, Akwandze has spent the past 20 years providing financial services, agricultural extension support, irrigation infrastructure assistance and savings administration to more than 1 000 small-scale growers. More than simply providing access to finance, Akwandze has helped foster a culture of financial discipline and long-term sustainability among growers, ensuring they can continually invest in the future of their farms and communities.

This community is the heartbeat of Nkomazi, where many Akwandze employees live and have family roots deeply embedded in the sugar value chain. Akwandze's clients are a beacon of hope in neighbouring communities, creating jobs, supporting contractors and sustaining local economic activity through their participation in the sugar industry.

Founded in 2006 as a 50/50 partnership between Nkomazi small-scale growers and RCL FOODS, Akwandze was established to address a critical need for accessible agricultural finance tailored to the unique needs of emerging growers. More than 600 growers came together through the Ligugletfu Co-operative, contributing R5 million in seed capital, which was matched by RCL FOODS.

From a modest team of five employees, Akwandze has grown into a thriving organisation employing 34 people and providing a range of services critical to the sustainability and success of the region's growers.

"Akwandze's story is one of partnership, resilience and shared prosperity," said Dave Thomson, Akwandze CEO. "For 20 years, we have worked alongside growers to unlock opportunities, improve productivity and create sustainable livelihoods. We are incredibly proud of what has been achieved together and excited about the future."

Supporting Growers Through Integrated Services

Akwandze's impact is built on four core service areas:

Finance: Akwandze provides short- and medium-term production finance for essential farm inputs, replanting programmes and irrigation infrastructure upgrades, with repayments structured around crop deliveries.

Agricultural Extension Support: Through its partnership with TsGro, RCL FOODS' other 50/50 joint venture with small-scale growers, Akwandze provides access to a dedicated team of 10 agricultural specialists who offer technical advice and support to growers. This support is critical in helping growers maintain and improve crop performance, farm sustainably and maximise productivity. The programme is funded through an annual grant of nearly R13 million from RCL FOODS.

Retention Savings Programme: Akwandze administers growers' retention savings accounts, which are designated for essential farming inputs such as seed cane and fertiliser. Each season, growers save R282 per tonne of cane delivered towards the following season's production requirements. Collectively, growers hold up to R100 million in retention savings, representing approximately 60% of all retention savings in the South African sugar industry. This strong culture of saving among Nkomazi's small-scale growers helps ensure farming inputs are appropriately applied, supports long-term farm sustainability and contributes significantly to managing loan risk.

Bulk Water Service (BWS): A team of 12 specialists assist growers in maintaining critical irrigation infrastructure across more than 5 200 hectares. Reliable water access remains essential to a successful crop, and Akwandze is proud that growers participating in the Bulk Water Service consistently outperform non-participating growers in production.

Two Decades of Impact

Over the past 20 years, Akwandze has played a pivotal role in strengthening the local agricultural economy and supporting transformation within the sugar industry.

Key achievements include:

• Securing more than R600 million in development finance for small-scale growers and land reform entities.
• Building a current loan book of R117.5 million, supporting more than 400 clients through 620 active loans.
• Facilitating transactions worth more than R4.8 billion since inception, including over R300 million paid to contractors supporting small-scale growers and sustaining the broader agricultural value chain.
• Supporting the growth of the small-scale grower crop from 300 000 tonnes of cane to 600 000 tonnes.
• Successfully implementing two Jobs Fund projects worth R130 million in grant funding, creating more than 1 800 jobs and bringing 1 500 hectares into production, resulting in approximately 100 000 tonnes of cane delivered to local mills.
• Managing R64 million in South African Sugar Association transformation grants, supporting the renewal of irrigation and farm infrastructure while creating opportunities for local contractors. A key initiative has focused on improving access to certified seed cane to support compliance with the Sugar Industry Vision 2028 requirements.
• Administering approximately R100 million in grower retention savings, representing around 60% of retention savings across the South African sugar industry and demonstrating a strong culture of financial discipline and long-term sustainability amongst Nkomazi's small-scale growers.
• Leading flood recovery initiatives following the devastating 2023 floods through the administration of a R46.5 million grant from RCL FOODS. A key achievement has been the construction of five bunker pump stations, helping growers become less vulnerable to future flood events.

Looking Ahead

As Akwandze marks this significant milestone, we remain committed to supporting growers, strengthening rural economies and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the sugar industry in Nkomazi.

"Our growers are the heartbeat of Nkomazi," added Thomson. "Their success creates jobs, supports local businesses and strengthens communities. As we celebrate 20 years of service, we remain focused on creating opportunities and building resilience for generations to come."

Akwandze's success reflects the power of collaboration between growers and industry partners. It is a true partnership between RCL FOODS and Nkomazi's small-scale growers, built on a shared commitment to growth, sustainability and prosperity. As the organisation celebrates this milestone, it looks forward to continuing its mission of growing what matters for many years to come.