Ncedo Ntsabo

Ncedo Ntsabo is a dynamic social entrepreneur, youth leader, and agricultural innovator from Qombe village in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. As the founder of Qombe Maize and Projects, he has built a thriving, multi-dimensional agribusiness that addresses food insecurity, unemployment, and youth disempowerment in rural communities—transforming traditional farming into a tool for innovation, dignity, and sustainable development.
Born and raised in Idutywa, Ncedo grew up witnessing firsthand the harsh realities of poverty, hunger, and joblessness. Yet, within the struggles of his community, he saw opportunity. Fueled by a deep sense of responsibility and an unshakable belief in the power of agriculture, Ncedo began cultivating his vision to turn rural land into hubs of productivity and empowerment. This vision laid the foundation for Qombe Maize and Projects.
Currently a final-year student at Walter Sisulu University, Ncedo is studying Adult Community Education and Training, majoring in Applied Agriculture. His academic background supports his community-focused mission, equipping him with both the theoretical knowledge and practical expertise to develop sustainable agricultural solutions. He is also a graduate of the EXIM Academy and holds a certificate in Social Entrepreneurship from Renyaka, further deepening his understanding of enterprise as a force for good.
Qombe Maize and Projects began as a small initiative with big dreams. With no startup capital but a strong will, Ncedo mobilized local youth and women to farm maize on unused communal land. What started as a single plot grew into a multi-enterprise operation producing vegetables, poultry, and organic fertilizer. Over time, the business expanded into over 80 hectares of production land, thanks to the Qombe Fencing Project—an initiative he led with the support of the Department of Agriculture and community members.
Today, the Qombe brand includes several other business arms:
Qombe Honey – focusing on sustainable beekeeping and the production of natural honey.
Qombe Veg – producing high-value vegetables like peppers, onions, tomatoes, and carrots for local markets and school feeding programs.
Qombe Greenhouse – supporting controlled-environment agriculture and piloting the production of a 100% organic liquid fertilizer using chicken waste.
All these entities work together to create employment, transfer skills, and improve food security in rural Eastern Cape. Ncedo’s work has created numerous seasonal and part-time jobs, particularly for women and youth, while also mentoring farmers in at least four other communities outside of Qombe.
Ncedo’s leadership extends beyond his own enterprises. He served as the National Startup Coordinator for Hult Prize South Africa, where he guided university startups nationwide. He also represented South Africa and Walter Sisulu University at the Hult Prize Africa Regionals in Kenya. Notably, he has mentored two student startups that went on to compete at the same regional competition. His passion for youth empowerment and innovation led to his current role as the EDHE Community of Practice representative for Walter Sisulu University.
Throughout his journey, Ncedo has received wide recognition for his impact and innovation:
Winner of the 2023 EDHE Intervarsity Competition, where he was named the Studentpreneur of the Year (Overall Winner) in South Africa.
Selected finalist in the National Entrepreneurship Competition in 2023.
Acknowledged by the Department of Agriculture and Mbhashe Local Municipality for various community initiatives.
Partnership collaborations with organizations like SAB Foundation, Uniq-Analytics, Unity and Interaction Foundation, LUSA Agric Solutions, and others.
Ncedo is also a community builder. In 2021, he spearheaded a poultry project in Qombe that provided over 200 white broiler chicks to women in the village, equipping them with training and resources. That same year, he founded a maize association for men and youth, supported by government departments. In 2023, he donated over 3,500 cabbage seedlings to local households and supplied fresh produce to local schools, donating two additional heads of cabbage with every delivery.
Despite setbacks—such as when strong winds destroyed his sponsored plastic tunnel in 2024—Ncedo remained undeterred. He engaged stakeholders, kept operations running through open-field farming, and continued supporting his workers. The tunnel is now scheduled for repairs before the end of October 2024, thanks to his resilience and partnership with the Department of Agriculture.
Ncedo’s entrepreneurial philosophy is simple yet profound: “We don’t wait for opportunities—we create them. Right here, where we are, with what we have.”
Looking ahead, Ncedo is determined to scale Qombe Maize and Projects into a continental model for rural development through regenerative agriculture, local empowerment, and social innovation. He aims to increase production, establish agro-