#AlumniOnTheMove | UFH Alumna, Hombakazi Mercy Nqandeka exudes Excellence in her field and beyond
Scholar, agricultural expert, author, entrepreneur, international guest lecturer, and award-winning photographer are some of the titles that Hombakazi Mercy Nqandeka, a University of Fort Hare (UFH) BSc in Crop and Soil Science and Honours in Soil Science graduate has put to her name.
Born at Mqhele location in Xhorha (Elliotdale), after graduating from UFH, Nqandeka furthered her education with a double master’s degree from the National University of Ireland under the Climate Change Agriculture Food Security program and at SupAgro in Montpellier, France, specializing in Resources, Agricultural Systems, and Development. While reading for her master’s degrees, she collaborated with Makerere University in Uganda for her thesis.
Currently, she is pursuing a PhD in Medicine and Health Sciences at Stellenbosch University where she has focused her research on conservation of Indigenous Knowledge Systems within the realm of health – a demonstration of her commitment to both cultural preservation and community development in the agricultural and health sectors.
Most recently, she was invited as a guest lecturer at Utrecht College University in the Netherlands – one of the top 50 universities in the world.
In addition to her academic accomplishments, Nqandeka is also an author with three published books: 'The Dissonant Rainbow' (2019), ‘To My Young Self' (2020), and her latest work, ‘Don’t Upset ooMalume: A Guide to Stepping Up Your Xhosa Game,' published by Jonathan Ball in 2022. Her latest book is a captivating picture book that showcases various aspects of Xhosa culture, including food, clothing, beads, ceremonies, handcrafts, and nature.
She is also the founder of Homba Crafts, a company based in Bulungula, Elliotdale, specializing in beads and Xhosa crafts. The company, which incorporates traditional bead styles with modern designs, provides employment opportunities for young, unemployed women in the area. Their beaded stethoscope has gained popularity for corporate gifting and individual purchases.
Furthermore, Nqandeka is a founder of Zidlo Farms Cooperative, a farming business dedicated to rejuvenating agriculture in the villages of Elliotdale. Collaborating with both men and women, they use the abandoned local land to produce vegetables supplied to local spaza shops and supermarkets in nearby towns.
Beginning this year, she won the second prize in the Margaret McNamara Education Grant’s 3rd annual photo competition for her photo of bridesmaids at a Xhosa wedding ceremony, see details here: https://www.mmeg.org/winners-photo-competition-fy24/2023/12/8/first-price
In an interview with UFHNews, she said she aspires to position herself as a “Go-to-authority for the preservation and promotion of Xhosa culture. I aspire to become a reliable resource for all facets of Xhosa cultural conservation.”
Academically, her goal is to emerge as a recognized scholar with expertise in the intersection of Agriculture, Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Public Health. “I aim to significantly contribute to the academic discourse surrounding these fields and ensure that I make a meaningful impact on their development integration.”
In sharing words of advice to UFH first-year students, she said: “It does not matter where you come from, what matters is what you do in the space that you are at. Grab every opportunity and run with them, that is what has put me where I am.”