“I had to be strong for him” – Tsakani mom builds poultry business after son’s cancer battle
A young mother from Tsakani turned her son’s cancer diagnosis into a mission for survival and self-reliance. She started a backyard poultry farm, proving that resilience can hatch from hardship.
Tsakani – Kgomotso Vilane (29) is an entrepreneur and mother who turned her tragedy into purpose and a business venture.
Her journey into agriculture began in 2020 under harsh circumstances after her son, just two years old, was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma, a rare and aggressive eye cancer.
Vilane said the diagnosis was life-threatening, so doctors had to remove her son’s left eye to stop the cancer from spreading.
“As a parent, it was devastating. It affected every aspect of my life, but also motivated me to find ways to secure our future. I had to be strong for him. I needed to find a way to be present and provide for him.
“I ventured into agriculture as a way to cope with my son’s illness and create a sustainable future for my family,” she explained.
Enrolling in an agriculture course in 2012, which she never completed, led her to this path.
“The course provided a foundation in agriculture, which helped me understand the basics of farming.”
That unfinished course led to the founding of Vilane’s backyard poultry farm. She started her business with 30 chickens and space borrowed from her grandmother’s backyard. Like any other new business venture, Vilane encountered problems.
“The emotional challenges included uncertainty and self-doubt, while the financial challenges included limited resources and unpredictable income.
“I also faced challenges such as scepticism, but overcame them by being determined and seeking out support. I stayed motivated by focusing on my goals and reminding myself why I started farming in the first place,” she said.
Support from relatives during her son’s illness provided emotional grounding, and her business became a source of empowerment.
“The first time I sold my chickens and got positive feedback, I was overwhelmed with pride,” she recalled.
Despite not owning a formal farm, her passion for poultry farming keeps her motivated.
“I may not have land, but I have a vision. Each successful cycle gives me hope. A successful farming cycle involves healthy chickens, efficient production and a good market. I prepare by planning, closely monitoring the flock and learning from every batch,” she added.
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Now, five years into her journey, the name Kgomotso Vilane means something far different than it did in 2020.
“It stands for resilience. I’ve grown, not just as a businesswoman, but as a mother and a person.”
Motherhood remains the beating heart of her mission.
“My son keeps me going. I want him to grow up knowing that his mother never gave up, no matter how hard things got. I hope my work today helps secure a brighter, safer future for him. My biggest wish is for him to grow older and healthier,” she said.
Kgomotso continues to raise chickens and hopes to expand her operations. Her story is a powerful reminder that sometimes, out of our darkest moments, something remarkable can grow.
