Uniche Busisiwe Dladla, founder and managing director of Magalela Enterprises, utilizes her roots and drive to solve production challenges to build a career in modern South African agriculture.
Uniche Busisiwe Dladla, founder and managing director of Magalela Enterprises, utilizes her roots and drive to solve production challenges to build a career in modern South African agriculture.
Dladla grew up in the small town of Amersfort, Mpumalanga province. Although her family was involved in commercial farming, primarily growing maize and soybeans, her personal exposure to crop care began at home. Her mother, Lizzy Dladla, maintained a vegetable garden where Dladla regularly assisted. She stated that this experience gave her an early connection to agriculture.
She received her primary education at De Emigratie Primary School and later attended Hlelimfundo Combined School. After school, Dladla expanded her knowledge by studying business management at Oxbridge Academy, followed by obtaining a technical qualification in rigging from ABS Academy. In 2013, she began working as a rigger in the construction industry, stepping away from full-time farming but maintaining her business ambitions.
The turning point toward agriculture was the registration of Magalela Enterprises, named after her family surname, with the slogan: 'Cultivating a Lasting Legacy.' Although the enterprise was registered in 2022, its operational activities accelerated in 2024 after she saw an advertisement for the Seriti Green farming bootcamp. She applied, was accepted, and used this platform to refine and present her farming concept.
Dladla noted that during the bootcamp, she developed and presented her farming idea, and this opportunity gave her the confidence to pursue farming seriously. Following a successful presentation, Dladla secured initial funding to establish necessary infrastructure, including netting shelters, fencing, and basic agricultural tools. She started cultivating on a small rented plot, planting potatoes and onions.
Despite immediate challenges with water access, she harvested her first crop and sold the produce directly to local street vendors and spaza shops. In pursuit of long-term stability, Dladla subsequently acquired two hectares of municipal land in Bethal, where Magalela Enterprises currently operates. She also receives ongoing support from the Seriti Institute, including onion seedlings, soil preparation assistance, and agricultural education, which has helped her develop as both a practical and academically proficient farmer.
Magalela Enterprises is currently focused on producing onions, beetroot, green peppers, and chili on its two-hectare site, where two part-time employees assist with daily field work. Dladla intentionally selects main crops based on market demand rather than quick profit. She explains that she focuses on onions because there is a market opportunity. Many may underestimate onions due to their longer maturation period, but she sees this as an advantage because of the demand for them.
Her progress attracted the attention of high-ranking officials, including visits from the CEO of Seriti and the Minister of Electricity, confirming the growing scale of the business. Concurrently, Dladla continues to receive technical training. She is undergoing NQF Level 4 certification in plant production and participating in a three-year program with Agriculture Academy aimed at transforming her enterprise into a commercially viable operation.
However, running a new farm comes with certain operational pressures, particularly regarding mechanization and logistics. Dladla shares that one of the main issues is soil preparation. Renting a tractor can be very expensive, so she sometimes has to hire people to help prepare the land. Transportation is another hurdle, requiring the hiring of vehicles to deliver to buyers. She notes that while these difficulties can be challenging, they have taught her to find alternative solutions and move forward using available resources.
Dladla's plans for Magalela Enterprises include expanding vegetable production, securing formal procurement agreements, and entering larger commercial supply chains. Her long-term expansion plans involve seed production, hydroponic systems, and added value through agro-processing, specifically onion processing. Most importantly, she aims to create jobs, contribute to food security, and build a business that can create a lasting legacy for future generations.
For aspiring farmers, Dladla emphasizes the importance of taking action rather than waiting for ideal conditions. She advises starting with what you have and utilizing what is available. You don't need to have everything from the beginning. You must start small, learn everything possible, take advantage of opportunities, and not be afraid to ask for help. Agriculture is a business, so it must be taken seriously; you must understand the market and continue learning.
The Noida-based developer, Gulshan Group, has entered into an agreement to establish a joint venture (JV) with Ourika Estates. The goal of this partnership is to invest over ₹750 crore in the development of two residential projects in the cities of Ghaziabad and Lucknow.
As part of the initial phase of cooperation, the platform secured land parcels in Ghaziabad and Lucknow. The plan is to create a total built-up area of approximately 1.5 million square feet across these elite residential complexes.
According to sources close to the deal, each parcel will be used for one project: around 346 apartments in Ghaziabad and 275 apartments in Lucknow. The total gross development value (GDV) of both projects is estimated at approximately ₹900 crore.
The company plans to start with two high-rise residential projects and subsequently acquire additional land parcels. In a joint statement, the companies noted that these initial developments mark the beginning of a larger expansion roadmap, and they are actively exploring opportunities in the growing corridors of North India.
Ourika previously acquired the first plot of 8,750 square meters in Madhuban Bapudham, Ghaziabad, for ₹75 crore through an auction conducted by the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA). The second plot, measuring approximately 10,328 square meters, is located in Gomti Nagar Extension and was purchased from the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) for ₹120 crore via auction.
Gulshan Nagpal, promoter of Gulshan Group, stated that he sees significant opportunities to implement his philosophy in new markets as the growth corridors of North India develop. Prasun Chauhan, Director of Ourika Estates, added that the company focuses on locations with high potential for constructing world-class apartments that set a new standard for premium urban living.
Regarding timelines, sources reported that the application for approval from the Ghaziabad Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) has been submitted for the first project, and construction is expected to commence by the end of the current year. In Lucknow, the maps are under discussion, with construction expected to begin early next year. Both projects are scheduled for completion by mid to late 2030.
Google has been hit with a substantial fine of 403 million euros, equivalent to $463 million, for breaching strict European Union privacy regulations related to the improper handling of user location data. The bloc's supervisory authority determined that the company acted unlawfully, unfairly, and non-transparently when managing personal data through the location accuracy feature in the Android mobile operating system.
The Irish Data Protection Commission reported that its investigation found Google improperly or unfairly processed location data within the 'Web & App Activity' settings for users, which tracks search and browsing history, as well as in the 'Location History' service, which displays visited locations via mobile phones.
Regulators also concluded that the company violated the principles of lawfulness, fairness, and transparency when processing personal data in the 'Location Accuracy' feature in Android. Ireland serves as the lead regulator for Google across the 27-member EU, as the American tech giant's European headquarters is located in Dublin.
The investigation, which began six years ago, examined the company's adherence to EU privacy rules, known as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), from its entry into force in 2018 until February 2020. In response, Google stated in a submission: 'This case relates to historical policies that have since been updated. Since 2019, we have significantly improved our practices and launched robust tools to simplify location data management.'
Regulator representatives emphasized that location data is a type of personal data collected by Google and can be used to determine an individual's location. Deputy Commissioner Graham Doyle noted: 'Location data can be both beneficial and harmful to individuals. It can significantly enhance the usefulness of online services, but it can also reveal a substantial amount of information about a person, including information that is inherently private.'
This fine represents the fourth largest privacy violation penalty issued by the Irish supervisory authority, which had previously imposed larger fines on TikTok and Meta, including a €1.2 billion fine for Meta. The regulator announced that it still has three other ongoing investigations concerning Google.
