Kwanda Biyela’s journey into goat farming was not an easy one. Right from the start, he faced challenges, including losing his only two goats. However, with the support of his family and friends, his small-scale farming business, Ukwanda Agri Business in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), grew.
Biyela’s love for farming started with helping sick animals at home, which led him to try his hand at goat farming in Empangeni while studying for a diploma in farm management at Mthashana TVET College.
In college, he met Mlungisi Mthembu, who shared his dream of owning a farm. They bought two goats together, with Biyela providing the land and Mthembu taking care of the animals’ health.
“The deal was that we needed to have a strategy of duties,” Biyela explains.
Although their first goats went missing for two months before being found, Biyela’s farm has grown from two to 22 goats since he started in 2022.
“Taking care of animals for me is like taking care of a loved one. It was never a sweet start at all,” he says.
Splitting the duties
Currently a junior farm manager at Inhlazeko Livestock Agric in Ulundi, Biyela aspires to become a veterinary doctor.
“I’ve been working towards that dream by being a community animal health worker. This role involves developing skills and knowledge in animal care, especially since there are few state veterinarians in KZN.”
Eager to expand his farming operation, he spent R5 000 on planting beans on his one-hectare plot in Kwesakwa-Mthethwa. Unfortunately, his crops did not survive.
“I lost the whole hectare because of the heat,” Biyela says. Despite this setback, he’s planning to try bean farming again because of its potential in KZN.
Teamwork and the support of friends have been key to his progress. His football friends, the Sokhela brothers Sandile and Sihle, whom he met in 2019, have also joined the business.
Even though they have full-time jobs, they each contribute to the business. Sihle, who teaches in China, manages the online aspects, while Sandile, who lives in Pietermaritzburg, oversees the daily operations.
Biyela says, “Sandile knows every corner of the farm, he’s our second pair of eyes.”
Mthembu, on the other hand, manages an avocado farm in Melmoth and uses his expertise in growing crops to help their business. He also keeps an eye on the livestock to ensure they stay healthy.
Meanwhile, Biyela checks in with the team daily, handling the animals’ health and vaccinations.
Biyela focuses on raising Cape Speckled (Skilder) goats and Xhosa Lob Ear goats, which are native to South Africa. He chose these breeds because they are local, grow quickly, and are larger. They often have twins and produce plenty of milk for their kids.
He points out that farming goats comes with its challenges, such as the high costs of feed and medication and the need for good security.
“You have to know how to handle sick goats and keep up with market prices,” he says. For example, you can spend R350 on a 50kg bag of feed, but it only lasts about a week, he explains.
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Farming for the future
Despite their farming venture’s growth, Ukwanda Agri Business faces ongoing challenges like water scarcity and extreme heat. Without a reliable water source and with no running taps, they depend on rainwater, which often isn’t enough for farming.
Biyela remains motivated by the belief that their efforts will benefit future generations.
“We don’t see these challenges as setbacks because we believe our efforts today will make a difference for those who come after us.”
He hopes the local municipality will support farmers by providing water solutions like constructing dams, installing water tanks, and setting up tap water systems.
Looking ahead, Biyela and his partners have decided not to sell any livestock until 2028, aiming to first achieve stability. When that time comes, they plan to focus solely on the farm and make money by selling purebred goats to interested buyers.
Biyela also plans to grow his business over the next eight years. By the time he turns 35, he hopes to work from home and spend more time with his children. While success doesn’t have a set schedule, Biyela is determined to reach his long-term goals.
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