LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Reel Gardening, an innovative business promoting sustainability and contributing towards solving the social and food crisis in South Africa.
Claire Blanckenberg is a visionary and natural-born entrepreneur from South Africa, and the co-founder of Reel Gardening. Her knack for simplifying processes and improving products was evident from a young age. At just 16, she revolutionized vegetable gardening with her invention, now known as Reel Gardening, streamlining the planting process with a patented method. Recognizing the logistical challenges hindering South Africa's future workforce, Claire took action. She developed the Siyaphambili Pre-Paid Taxi App, directly addressing the pressing issue of logistical poverty in the country. An esteemed figure in the field of social entrepreneurship, Claire frequently shares her insights at prestigious institutions like the Wits Business School and the Gordon Institute of Business Science in South Africa.
Cover image credit: Tim Gerges
Lioness Weekender spoke to the impact-making Claire Blanckenberg about her inspirational journey, her passion for innovation and social entrepreneurship, and her ambitions for the future.
When did your start your business?
I invented the seed tape around the age of 16. I established Reel Gardening in 2009 with my partner, Sean Blanckenberg.
What does your company do?
At Reel Gardening we produce patented seed tape with a variety of options. Then we have Reel Life, an NPC a Level 1 BBBEE contributor – and a distinct and separate legal entity with its own management team and Board. As a non-profit, Reel Life enables partners who require a Section 18A tax certificate to support work targeting food and nutrition across South Africa.
What inspired you to start your company?
Back when I was a budding gardener, I faced the frustration of some plants not reaching their full potential because of inconsistent planting depths—sometimes too deep, sometimes too shallow, all with my trusty helper by my side. Determined to find a solution, I delved into research and came up with a nifty invention: a seed tape designed to tackle common challenges like excessive water use and ensuring plants are planted at the perfect depth for a bountiful harvest and spaced out evenly and correctly. Now, gardening feels like a breeze, and my plants are thriving like never before.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
The patented seed tape is designed to tackle common challenges like excessive water use and ensuring plants are planted at the perfect depth for a bountiful harvest and spaced out evenly and correctly. In this way we promote sustainability and contribute towards solving the social and food crisis in South Africa.
Tell us a little about your team:
We have employed a majority of women in our business, this is intentional in promoting women empowerment in the supply chain. We currently have 33 employees.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
I studied Architecture at the University of Pretoria, where I obtained my Masters in 2010. I worked in the industry for a while where I took my management and entrepreneurial skills and applied them to my start-up.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
To expand. I believe we are solving a major crisis and I strive to be able to provide for a larger market so we can all promote a healthy environment that not only benefits the earth but the people living in it.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
To have the platform and contribute towards making a change.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Just start. Always be willing to ask for help and advice because we are all learning every single day.
To find out more about the work of Reel Gardening, contact Claire via email: claire@reelgardening.co.za or visit the company’s website and social media platforms.
Website: https://reelgardening.co.za/
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/ReelGardening
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel_gardening/
