The Soil Remembers Her Hands
The soil remembers her hands is a podcast celebrating South African women who are transforming agriculture and the wine industry from the ground up. Produced by the Graça Machel Trust, the podcast demonstrates how through their hands, we see dignity, employment, and generational change take root—reminding us that when women lead, communities flourish. We are a non-profit organisation whose mission is to advance systemic change so that African women and girls thrive.
The Soil Remembers Her Hands
11. Sheila Hlanjwa - A journey of passion, struggle, and unyielding hope
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“I sold my house to fund my dream. When you start from nothing, you fight with everything you have.”
Sheila Hlanjwa is the pioneering founder of Lathitha Wines, a Black woman-owned wine brand rooted in South Africa. Sheila’s entrepreneurial journey began in 2007 after transitioning from a career in waste management. With no prior experience in winemaking, she studied viticulture at Stellenbosch University and has since built a thriving brand around South Africa’s iconic Pinotage grape.
In 2021, Sheila purchased a 250-hectare farm near East London (Eastern Cape), where she is developing an ecosystem that includes wine production, agro-tourism, livestock, and hemp farming. A passionate mentor, she employs and trains young Black women and supports her two sons in taking over the family business.
Facebook: Lathitha Wines