Chicken farmer Njabulo’s leap of faith pays off
Njabulo Nzuza struggles to keep up with customer demands.
By NOBUHLE ZULU
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Like so many emerging entrepreneurs in recent times, the Covid-19 lockdown came as a blessing in disguise for Ntshawini poultry farmer Njabulo Nzuza.
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With many people taking the time to try new things they were always too busy to do, 42-year-old Njabulo also saw the lockdown as the perfect opportunity to enter into a new business venture.
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At the height of the restrictions he took a leap of faith and established Clibulo Poultry, raising chickens for consumption and later eggs.
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“We were working part-time at work and I had a lot of time on my hands” he said. With this realisation, he built a chicken broiler on his property.
To ensure quality, Nzuza keeps his broiler clean by making sure the floor is always completely covered in fresh, dry wood shavings.
At first the chickens were either sold as plucked and packaged or alive, depending on customers’ preferences, but eventual egg production had always been a part of Njabulo’s longer term vision. Thanks to the success of the meat production business, he was able to broaden his scope.
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“I believe what I do is beneficial to the community because people now have access to cheaper eggs and fresh chicken,” said Nzuza. He employs three people to help manage his small-scale operation.
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“My biggest challenge at the moment is meeting the demand, especially for eggs.” Customers sometimes have to wait for some time before eggs become available.
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The poultryman has even bigger plans for his business. With hopes of finding the right funding, he is looking to further expand his operations and to one day supply supermarkets and businesses with chickens and eggs.
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His goal is to become the number one supplier in Stanger and the surrounding areas.
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Story link: https://northcoastcourier.co.za/198937/chicken-farmer-njabulos-leap-of-faith-pays-off/