Former electrical engineer Lebohang Dhludhlu has transformed a modest 50-chicken reselling initiative into Nkanyezii Group, a flourishing agricultural enterprise supplying over 300 clients across Mpumalanga and Gauteng.
Dhludhlu from Ekangala is the Group Chief Executive Officer of Nkanyezii Group, an agricultural enterprise based in Elukwatini, with interests in poultry farming, cattle farming, crop production, fresh produce and spices.
A first-generation farmer and former electrical engineer, her journey into agriculture began when she and her husband wanted to create an additional source of income and build something of their own.
The couple initially started by reselling chickens because they lacked the experience, land and infrastructure to produce their own birds.
Dhludhlu said they began with just 50 chickens, slaughtering, plucking and packaging them by hand.
As the business grew, she realised that relying on another farmer for supply limited the business because the supplier controlled both pricing and availability.
“If we produced our own chickens, we would have greater control over the business and could also create opportunities for other people,” she added.
This motivated her to become a poultry producer, laying the foundation for Nkanyezii Farming.
Today, the business supplies more than 300 clients and resellers across Mpumalanga and Gauteng, including SPAR stores, boarding schools, daycare centres and other retailers.
Dhludhlu said directly approaching customers was crucial to building the business.
“In the beginning, I approached customers personally. I would introduce myself, introduce the business and explain what we could offer. I didn’t wait for customers to find me,” she said.
She said maintaining those relationships through quality, consistency and reliability has helped the business retain customers.
The company has also developed a reseller model, creating opportunities for other entrepreneurs to generate income by selling its products.
Dhludhlu said collaboration is an important part of competing in the agricultural sector.
“If I cannot fulfil an order on my own, I can work with other farmers to fulfil that order,” she said.
However, scaling the business has brought challenges, particularly rising feed and labour costs.
Other major expenses include electricity, transport, animal health, infrastructure and maintenance.
Disease and biosecurity also remain major concerns for poultry farmers, while access to funding can be difficult for businesses trying to move from small-scale to commercial production.
Dhludhlu said proper financial records, compliance and understanding production costs are essential for farmers seeking to grow.
Her Master’s degree in Sustainable Agriculture has further shaped her approach to farming, encouraging her to focus on sustainability, resource management and diversification.
The group is developing an abattoir and TerraGrain feedmill as it seeks to expand across the agricultural value chain.
Nkanyezii currently employs more than 100 people, while its reseller network has created additional income opportunities for entrepreneurs.
Dhludhlu advises aspiring farmers to start small but have a clear plan.
“You don’t have to begin with thousands of chickens. I started with 50. What is important is that you understand what you are doing and that you have a market for your product,” she said.
Dhludhlu’s journey from selling 50 chickens to building a growing agricultural enterprise reflects her belief that consistency, planning, collaboration and continuous learning are key to building a sustainable business.
