TZANEEN – Poultry farmer Camilla Ndhlovu, who specialises in broiler production, has been named the runner-up in the Commercial Producer category at the 2026 Young Entrepreneur Awards, hosted by the Department of Agriculture on Thursday, July 9. She received a cash prize of R20 000.

The 35-year-old from Nkowankowa described the recognition as both rewarding and motivating.

“Winning is a reminder that all the hard work, long days and challenges have been worth it. It also motivates me to keep pushing forward and to inspire more young people to see agriculture as a sector full of opportunities,” she said.

A passion sparked at her grandmother’s home

Although she never imagined becoming a farmer while growing up, Ndhlovu’s interest in poultry farming began at her grandmother’s home, where the family kept about 300 chickens. She became curious after noticing that while chicken was expensive in supermarkets, many small-scale farmers struggled to access the same markets.

Determined to understand why, she began researching the poultry industry to learn how commercial producers supplied major retailers and how emerging farmers could become part of that value chain.

Taking over the family operation

After her grandmother passed away, her uncle took over the family’s poultry operation in 2019. Watching him manage the flock, implement different feeding programmes, and make production decisions sparked her passion for the industry.

“That’s when I knew I wanted to be part of the poultry industry, especially the parts of the value chain that many emerging farmers struggle to access,” she said.

Walking kilometres in search of farmland

Her journey into commercial farming was not without challenges. Ndhlovu approached the Land Bank to understand what would be required to secure funding for a poultry farm. Armed with that knowledge, she resigned from her job to focus on finding suitable farmland.

Without a vehicle at the time, she often walked between 10 and 30km in search of available farms. Her determination eventually paid off when she secured her current farm with financial support from the Land Bank.

A growing operation

Today, her poultry operation produces 140 000 broiler chickens per production cycle, supplying Bushvalley Chickens. The business has also created employment, with eight permanent and five temporary workers.

‘I have found my purpose’

Ndhlovu says farming has given her a clear sense of purpose.

“Through farming, I have found my purpose, which is to serve people. I do that by producing food and creating opportunities for others,” she said.

A documentary film about her entrepreneurship journey into farming is currently being filmed by Far South Media.