In the whirlwind of life, it’s always a good idea to explore ways to create multiple streams of income. This is why, in 2019, #SoilSista Lebohang Dhludhlu, dared to dream of earning extra money through raising chickens. Little did she know that her labour of love had even grander plans in store.
As a first-generation farmer, Dhludhlu has now also earned a spot in the Corteva Agriscience Women Agripreneur Programme, presented in partnership with the GIBS Entrepreneurship Academy.
Originating from Mpumalanga, Dhludhlu and her husband embarked on a chicken-selling side hustle. Initially, they began by purchasing and reselling 50 chickens.
“What we had was an idea that we wanted something to bring extra money for the family,” she tells Food For Mzansi “We didn’t have a yard big enough to slaughter those chickens, but we had a garage. So, we just waited for our neighbours to go inside. Once they closed their garages, we would come with our bakkie and create an abattoir,” she says.
The initial 50 chickens garnered remarkable interest, and within three months, their market expanded exponentially. As the visionary founder and director of Nkanyezi Farming, the journey was rife with challenges and triumphs.
“Once we had our land from the chief we then built one house and ran out of money and then Covid-19 hit us. For us, it was a blessing in disguise because there was a relief fund from the department of agriculture,” she shares.
Securing R50 000, they unleashed their unstoppable drive to grow and self-sustain.
The #SoilSistas transformation
For Dhludhlu, her pursuit of knowledge knew no bounds. The Corteva Agriscience programme represented her dream space, and she relentlessly pursued it, applying it three times. Rejections served only to fuel her determination.
“I have applied for it thrice. For me, it’s like a dream come true. I made sure that I sold myself in that interview to be a part of the programme,” she says.
Since joining the programme, personal growth and business development have become her reality. The presence of fellow women who share her fervour for success exhilarates and motivates Dhludhlu.
“I have made a lot of collaborations since we started. For me I feel like you can only grow when you have the right people in your circle,” she says.
Participating in the Corteva Agriscience programme was like a crash course in innovation, teaching Dhludhlu how to think outside the box and drive her business forward. “It has encouraged me to fly to China to look for more business opportunities so that my business can grow.”
In #SoilSista Dhludhlu’s remarkable journey, we find inspiration – a testament to the resilience, determination, and unyielding spirit that fuels remarkable transformation. Her story reminds us that even the humblest of side hustles can evolve into the grandest of dreams when passion and perseverance lead the way.
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