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Alilali Mudimeli’s agricultural journey is a story of resilience, passion, and the transformative power of education. Born and raised in Dopeni village in Limpopo, she grew up in a family where farming was more than just a livelihood – it was a way of life. Hence, she developed a natural interest in agriculture.
Her family cultivated maize, peanuts, sweet potatoes, and other vegetables, and she spent much of her time on the farm. With a deep-rooted connection to agriculture, she pursued her studies in Soil Science at the University of Venda, supported by the Potatoes SA bursary programme. Her later studies have allowed her family to plan for the expansion of their farming operations to also include potatoes.
Student struggles
Like many other students, Mudimeli’s educational journey posed several challenges. She started her Soil Science studies in 2017 but found the course to be challenging, forcing her to repeat certain modules. In early 2021, her previous bursary funder withdrew support. Without funds for accommodation, she had to rely on the kindness of a friend who provided her with a place to stay and internet access for online classes and assignments.
In October 2021, she learned about the Potatoes SA bursary from a friend who was also a bursary recipient. She applied and was accepted for the 2022 academic year, which allowed her to complete her final year of studies. She regained her confidence and reaffirmed her commitment to a career in agriculture.
A life-changing opportunity
The Potatoes SA bursary was crucial in supporting Mudimeli’s educational journey as it covered her tuition fees.
As it did not fully cover other essential expenses such as accommodation and textbooks, she had to commute daily from home to the university and relied on online resources for her studies.
Nevertheless, she excelled academically and dedicated her final-year research to a study titled “Effect of combining vermicompost and chicken manure on soil properties, growth, and yield of potatoes”. This research not only enhanced her understanding of potato farming but was perfectly aligned with the mission of Potatoes SA.
After completing her undergraduate degree in 2022, she faced challenges securing employment in the agricultural sector. To enhance her career prospects, she then pursued a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in 2023. This led her to a teaching role, first as a volunteer at Tshilogoni Secondary School in 2024 and later as a temporary teacher at Vhusendeka Secondary in March this year, where she now teaches Life Orientation (Grade 8 to 10), Creative Arts (Grade 8 to 9), Technology (Grade 8 to 9), and Agricultural Sciences (Grade 10 to 12).
While she has not worked directly in the potato industry yet, her teaching role allows her to inspire young minds and share her agricultural expertise. She remains passionate about contributing to agriculture beyond the classroom and hopes to eventually establish her own farming enterprise. She also hopes to gain industry experience in soil fertility management, sustainable farming, and research within the potato sector as she is very interested in laboratory work.
Support and determination
Mudimeli is deeply grateful for the Potatoes SA bursary which provided her with the opportunity to complete her studies. If she had one suggestion, it would be for the funding to be increased to cover all educational expenses, particularly accommodation and textbooks.
She nevertheless encourages other aspiring agriculturalists to apply for the bursary, as it offers not only financial support, but also builds confidence and motivation to succeed in the agricultural industry.
Mudimeli’s journey exemplifies the resilience and perseverance required to thrive in agriculture. As she continues to seek opportunities for growth, we celebrate the transformative power of education, perseverance, and support in shaping the future of agriculture.
To find out more about Potatoes SA’s Tertiary Skills Development Pipeline, send an email to rotondwa@potatoes.co.za or visit www.potatoes.co.za/tertiary-skills-development/.