Mtubatuba poultry farmer spreads her business wings
XOLISWA Zinhle Dladla, a 27-year-old entrepreneur from Khula Village in Mtubatuba, hopes to one day ruffle feathers in the poultry industry.
Specialising in egg production, she launched Ziyabongwa Poultry Farm last year, fuelled by her personal savings and a strategic investment from her mother.
Dladla said what hatched the idea of going into this business was to help her community save money.
"I looked at the population of Khula Village and realised many households go to Mtuba or St Lucia to buy eggs. I opened my business to supply eggs to my community so they can save the money on travelling to Mtuba or St Lucia," she said.
Dladla's dedication and determination caught the attention of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), leading to a significant milestone for Ziyabongwa Poultry Farm.
The business received a noteworthy cash grant of R10 000 from NYDA, a boost that Dladla believes will propel growth and enhance profit margins.
Having attended a pivotal session with the NYDA last year, Dladla's poultry farm has expanded from its modest beginnings with 10 chickens to a current flock of about 20.
The business is showing promising signs of growth, said Dladla, who envisions supplying chicks to other local poultry farmers in the future.
In the face of challenges like the avian flu outbreak last year, Dladla navigated the risks with resilience.
Concerned about potential losses as a smallscale operation, she was fortunate not to be adversely affected by the outbreak, she said.
She strategically sells aging hens when they can no longer produce eggs.
Operating on foot for deliveries, Dladla has aspirations of owning her transportation soon.
Her future plans include penetrating the town market and achieving greater success for Ziyabongwa Poultry Farm.
With a clear vision and determination, Dladla is a young entrepreneur on the rise, showcasing the potential for growth in the local poultry industry.
"I have hopes that my business will grow bigger, but for now I take it one day at a time," she said.