Soweto Agricultural Business Wins R70,000 to Expand Farmer Support

Soweto Agricultural Business Wins R70,000 to Expand Farmer Support. Soweto-based P Agricultural Group (PAG) has won R70,000 after taking first place in the Gauteng leg of the 2026 IWISA No 1 Community Champions competition, securing funding and business development support for its agricultural enterprise.

Founded by Phetole Rasesopo, PAG focuses on seedling production and distribution, crop supply, agricultural training and capacity development. The business works with smallholder farmers, cooperatives and emerging agricultural entrepreneurs, with the aim of connecting farmers to markets and supporting community agriculture initiatives.

Rasesopo said the prize money, together with training, mentorship and networking opportunities, would help the business extend its reach beyond Soweto.

The Gauteng competition awarded R50,000 to Lufuno Rasoesoe of TOSH Detergents, who finished second, while Xolani Nopote of X-Shinemo received R30,000 for third place. The three winners shared the province’s R150,000 prize allocation.

Now in its fourth year, the IWISA No 1 Community Champions competition recognises social enterprises operating in townships, peri-urban areas and rural communities.

The 2026 competition attracted more than 1,400 entries nationally, including 779 from Gauteng. Its total prize pool increased to R600,000, distributed across four provinces: the Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng and Western Cape.

The initiative supports enterprises working across several areas, including food security and nutrition, education and skills development, health and wellbeing, clean and affordable energy, recycling, and digital and technology innovation.

In addition to financial awards, finalists receive training, mentorship and business development support intended to assist their enterprises.

For PAG, the Gauteng win provides financial backing and access to additional business support as it seeks to grow its agricultural activities and assist more community members.

The enterprise’s work with smallholder farmers and emerging agripreneurs places agricultural production and skills development at the centre of its business model.