Dr Phindile Msomi’s journey began in Orlando West, Soweto, a place where resilience and community were the cornerstones of her early life. Her initial aspiration was to become a doctor, driven by a deep-seated desire to make a difference. However, her path led her to a different kind of leadership. She earned a doctorate in Business Administration and became a force to be reckoned with in entrepreneurship and agribusiness. As the group chief executive of Hazile Group, Msomi leads ventures that span agri-business, consulting, and social development. Her days are a whirlwind of activity—she reviews operations, meets with clients, oversees governance, mentors women and youth, and even works hands-on in hydroponics tunnels. She drives innovation through water-efficient farming solutions and sustainable business strategies, combining leadership with practical impact. Personal challenges, including becoming a mother at 19 and losing her husband at 27, only served to fuel her commitment to empowerment. She teaches entrepreneurial skills, leadership, and confidence-building through initiatives like Basadi Bakopane NPO, which fosters community development and opportunities. Her achievements include expanding Hazile’s hydroponics farm, launching the Eco-Farm Pod prototype, and completing her DBA at the age of 53, all while balancing leadership, motherhood, and social impact. Guided by the principle “Lift as you rise,” Msomi measures success by the opportunities she creates for others, turning setbacks into stepping stones and multiplying impact through mentorship, empowerment, and sustainable innovation.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA), Milpark Business School
- Master of Business Administration (MBA), Milpark Business School
ACHIEVEMENTS
- Expansion of Hazile’s hydroponics farm – growing from one to three tunnels and reviving our farm after COVID losses, increasing production of herbs to agroprocessed products, and recently successfully completing the Eco-Farm Pod prototype and TM registration, while training women and youth in modern, sustainable farming practices.
- Empowerment and mentorship initiatives – leading programmes that teach entrepreneurial skills, leadership, confidence-building, and communication, fostering the next generation of women and youth entrepreneurs.
- Water management and renewable energy projects – implementing grey and rainwater harvesting systems, water cleaning and reuse, and promoting on-demand renewable energy solutions.
- Governance and board contributions – serving on multiple boards to share governance expertise, ensuring strategic direction, accountability, and sustainable growth.
- Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) – achieving a doctorate at 53 years while balancing leadership, single motherhood, business operations, and social impact initiatives, demonstrating resilience and commitment to lifelong learning.
- Social impact through Basadi Bakopane NPO – driving initiatives that improve lives in local communities through entrepreneurship, skills development, and community upliftment.
