Zintle Mfule

I am a very versatile individual with much passion in business development, Agri-business, Business Banking, research, and Innovation as well as agricultural development. My studies and my previous work experience have all been in these areas, and I am progressing my career in a more challenging role. I have completed Junior and Honors in Agricultural Economics at University of Fort Hare. Research wise, my master’s thesis was very practical in the sense that we were evaluating the impact of large-scale maize production initiatives in Eastern Cape, particularly, Centane and Mbashe Agriculture initiative (CMAI) in collaboration with Women Investment Portfolio Holdings (WIPHOLD) focusing on grain production. The study investigated whether the initiative by WIPHOLD was achieving the desired development outcomes that pertains to project profitability and the extent to which the program has contributed to the livelihoods of beneficiaries in terms of income generation; skills transfer, and women empowerment in the agricultural value chain. In terms of working experience, I have worked for Land Bank as an intern in commercial development and business banking (2020 until 2022). Main duties focusing on promoting various banking services to both commercial and emerging farmers needing financial assistance with production loans. I have also done vacation work program at IDC (Industrial Development Corporation) from 2018 -2019 i.e. June and December Holidays only. And my duty was to be of great assistance in business analysis, specifically business plans and see if they are economically viable. Lastly, I have been a member of Traversing Liminality, an NGO program helping black women between the ages of 21-30 work through the effects of limiting beliefs of self to thrive.

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics (honours degree)