Growing up between the rural village of Mbiyane and the township of Umlazi, Pamela Tshozi, 29, has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by underserved communities. As the founder and director of At Vision Ninety Nine Pty Ltd, Tshozi is redefining what it means to be a farmer in the digital age. Her small-scale organic farm thrives under her leadership, using space-efficient, environmentally conscious methods to grow and distribute fresh produce locally. But her impact extends far beyond the field. With a diploma in accounting from Durban University of Technology and further training in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and digital marketing, Pamela has strategically combined agriculture with emerging tech. She was a finalist in the Youth in Business South Africa Awards, earned third place in the Mancosa Meta Academy competition for an AI-powered rural development solution, and most recently made the Top 30 Food Lovers Seed for Change list in 2024. She leads rural hackathons and innovation events that equip young people with digital and entrepreneurial skills. Her efforts aim to close the opportunity gap between rural and urban South Africa.
My mother — her strength, resilience and unwavering support have been a constant source of inspiration and guidance throughout the journey, teaching the value of hard work and perseverance.