Women Who Feed the World: Keatlegile Mnguni – Farming Heat, Bottling Purpose

Keatlegile Mnguni is part of a new generation of agri-entrepreneurs rewriting what it means to build with purpose in Africa’s food system. After witnessing how easily harvests can be lost to waste, she set out to create solutions that would keep more value close to home, support local farmers, and open new opportunities for communities.

Her venture, AgriNouri, short for Agricultural Nourishment, brings farming and food production together, turning chilli harvests into gourmet sauces that carry both flavour and impact. Driven by a vision where enjoyment and nourishment align with sustainability, she is proving that good food can do good too. In this feature, Keatlegile Mnguni shares her journey, her lessons, and how every bottle of chilli sauce carries both flavour and a bigger story.

⁠What inspired the birth of AgriNouri — and what’s the story behind the name?

The inspiration behind AgriNouri, short for Agricultural Nourishment, stemmed from my background in food and beverage management, coupled with a strong interest in sustainable food systems. After gaining experience in the hospitality sector and later becoming actively involved in agriculture, I witnessed how easily valuable produce can go to waste due to limited market access, produce or product imperfections, or a lack of value-adding knowledge or opportunities. One of my experiences was the loss of a chilli harvest due to a mismatch between production and market requirements, which underscored the importance of planning, education, and innovation within the value chain. AgriNouri was established to merge food and agriculture through farming and agro-processing, creating a value chain that moves purposefully from farm to fork. Our work focuses on reducing food waste, promoting nutrition and food security, adding value to raw produce, and driving socio-economic impact through job creation and skills development. At its core, AgriNouri is about creating a food system where enjoyment and nourishment are aligned with sustainability, purpose, and long-term food security.

You’re both a farmer and a food producer — why was it important for you to control the full journey from crop to condiment?

We would like to ensure traceability, reduce waste, and retain more value within our local communities. We source many of our ingredients directly from the fresh produce market, allowing us to support local farmers and access high-quality, seasonal produce. Agro-processing gives us the power to create jobs, innovate with our harvests, and deliver quality products with a story behind them. It’s not just about business; it’s about transformation.

What has your experience been working with other women in the agri-food space — and why do you think those kinds of connections and collaborations matter?

Working with other women in agri-food has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey. As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child, and I’ve truly felt that village spirit in this space. So many women, both from my generation and those who came before us, have generously shared knowledge, links, networks, and opportunities. This support has come not only from fellow farmers, but from women across the entire agricultural value chain -  processors, buyers, marketers, researchers, and beyond. There’s a deep sense of solidarity, innovation, and resilience that women bring into this space. Collaborations like these matter because they amplify our impact. When women support each other, from sharing lessons to co-creating products,  we’re not just building businesses, we’re building movements. It’s about rewriting the story of who belongs in agriculture and who gets to lead. Motho ke motho ka batho! I believe that.

Where can people find your sauces, and are there any exciting developments we should look out for?

You can find our sauces by reaching out to us directly at info@agrinouri.co.za or via WhatsApp on 083 304 3115. We also share our flavour journey on Instagram and Facebook — follow us at @agrinouri.

As for what’s next? We’re working towards bringing our sauces to store shelves, so more people can experience our gourmet collection. Each bottle isn’t just about taste, it’s about purpose. Every purchase supports job creation and drives meaningful impact across the agri-food value chain. We believe good food should do good too. We are also working on our website, so look out for our online store soon!