Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu, Zimpapers Writer
PHUMZILE Praise Ntonisani, a 19-year-old mother from Pumula South in Bulawayo, with a two-year-old daughter, is far from your average young woman. Affectionately known as “The African Cowgirl,” she’s a farmer, an aspiring author, and the entrepreneurial force behind Cowgirl Specialty Jams.
What truly sets Phumzile apart is her unwavering ambition — a vision that stretches from her bustling kitchen right to the highest echelons of Zimbabwean politics.
Her journey began with the trials of teenage motherhood, a path often marked by societal judgment and personal heartache.
“The toughest part of being a teen mother for me was overcoming the trauma and depression caused by the child’s father. He rejected the baby before she was born. I also had to face society. I come from a community where, if you fall pregnant at a young age, people judge you — some laugh, some bully you. Some even told me I was the reason for the high rate of teenage pregnancies,” she confessed.
In the face of such adversity, many would falter, but Phumzile found strength in her entrepreneurial spirit.
“I started entrepreneurship when I was in Form 1. I used to sell chocolates and cream doughnuts right up to Form 4 in high school,” she said.
This early start laid the foundation for her future success, proving that even amidst the challenges of motherhood, her dreams could still soar.
“So it’s something I started before motherhood, so I never had challenges after having the baby.”
However, the road wasn’t without its bumps.
“When I was in Form 5, there were students who used to take cream doughnuts on credit, especially after school. Because I was too lazy to return home with the leftovers, they took advantage and never paid. When I asked for the money, they said, ‘Go and report to the headmaster or teachers.’ They knew I wouldn’t go because selling at school wasn’t allowed,” she recounted.
Phumzile’s experiences have fuelled her desire to create change, leading her to write a book titled Empowering Change. This literary work addresses pressing issues facing today’s youth, including drug abuse, child abuse, and suicide.
“The book is specifically for parents. Whether one has one child or 12, as long as you are a parent, the book is for you,” she said.
Drawing from her own life, she hopes to shed light on the root causes of these problems and offer guidance to parents.
“So I’m using my experiences from childhood to reveal the main reasons why children abuse drugs, attend vuzu parties, and why there’s a high rate of child abuse and suicide among my peers,” she said. Her message is clear: “80 percent of parents don’t give attention to their kids — that’s why youths end up in places they’re not supposed to be.”
As the driving force behind Cowgirl Specialty Jams, she has found a sweet spot in the world of value addition.
“My favourite jam is grape jam because of its sweetness. I love sweet things,” she admitted.
Her passion for creating delicious products has led her to collaborate with food scientists from Lupane State University to perfect her recipes.
“We’re making small adjustments to the recipes. We’ll finalise them by mid-August. After doing lab tests again, we’ll start supplying supermarkets and hotels. We’re in the process of supplying Bronte Hotel in Harare. We’re still sorting out our paperwork,” she explained.
Phumzile’s journey into jam-making began in December last year, driven by her innate creativity and desire to add value to her community.
“I started making jam last December after realising that my strength lies in value-addition. Since I was young, I used to make birthday cards and different art pieces. I remember my mum used to say, ‘You’ll be rich one day if you keep using the gifts God gave you.’ I love adding value to everything I see — even my unique sense of fashion says it all,” she said.
Using resources available at home and money earned from selling her horticultural products, she began her jam-making venture.
Her entrepreneurial spirit earned her a spot in ZimTrade’s prestigious Eagles’ Nest Agri Challenge, where she is often the youngest participant.
“The judges said I’m the youngest participant in the Eagles’ Nest Agri Challenge. I wasn’t really surprised because it’s not the first time I’ve been the youngest in most programmes or workshops. I usually attend Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) workshops at Holiday Inn in Bulawayo, and I’m often the youngest in the room,” she said.
While it’s an honour to be recognised for her achievements, Phumzile also sees it as a call to action.
“It feels good, but at the same time, it hurts — where are the young people? What are they doing? Sometimes I share posters on social media platforms, but still, youths don’t show up.”
She hopes to inspire more young people to pursue their dreams and seize opportunities for growth. The Eagles’ Nest Agri Challenge has already provided her with invaluable knowledge and resources.
“I’m already learning a lot from the programme. We had a training in July at Bronte Gardens. I really learnt a lot, and the knowledge is enough to grow the business.”
Phumzile’s journey has been shaped by both triumphs and tribulations, including a difficult period in her childhood when her relationship with her father became strained, leading to financial hardship for her family. Yet her ambitions extend far beyond the kitchen.
“Yes, I’ve achieved a lot at 19, and I’m proud of myself. My vision is to build my business over the next 15 years. I’m building my profile, and I intend to prove to the nation of Zimbabwe that I have the potential to become the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.”
She has taken the advice from mentors at the Eagles’ Nest Agri-Challenge to heart, choosing to focus on refining her product and branding before investing in large-scale equipment.
“The piece of advice I received was to invest in the product first before buying big machines. Our packaging is suitable for export, but the branding still needs improvement. We are yet to certify our products with the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ), fix our stickers, launch a professional website, and become active on social media,” she said.
She acknowledged that social media is an area where she needs to grow.
“My weakness as the CEO of Organic Quest, trading as Cowgirl Specialty Jams, is being inactive on social media. I’m not really a fan of it, but I’m trying my best,” she admitted.
Amid her busy schedule, she finds time to unwind and recharge.
“I love outings and braais. I’ve been a tourist since crèche. I never missed a school trip. I’ve been to Victoria Falls, Kariba, Great Zimbabwe, Chinhoyi Caves, and more.”
Set to be part of the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training’s National Youth Empowerment Symposium, she hopes to meet President Mnangagwa. These experiences continue to inspire her and remind her of the beauty and potential of her country.
— Follow on X @MbuleloMpofu
