Shakaville man goes nuts for peanuts to provide for kids in need
Although they will be funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), Zulu said they will also rely on the profit made from the peanut butter business to support themselves.
A cost-cutting exercise was the inspiration for possibly the first peanut butter manufacturing business on the North Coast.
Shakaville resident Phila Zulu started making peanut butter to help child-headed families and orphans.
Through his non-profit organisation, Izwi Lothando, Zulu identified 48 children from schools in the township who were in need of help.
Most are orphans and others are from poor families. Zulu helps them with food parcels, which include jars of nutritious peanut butter.
Looking at ways of cutting costs, Zulu realised that he could save money by making his own peanut butter.
“I realised that peanut butter was my best option because I can make it, use it for food parcels and also sell it to support the children.
“I spoke with their teachers to use their school gardens to plant the nuts. I was joined by mama, Agness Chingavo, and we managed to get a 5 litre peanut butter-making machine,” said Zulu.
After their first harvest last April, they started producing peanut butter.
Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 restrictions, they could not continue farming so they now have to buy peanuts in KwaDukuza.
Zulu, who runs a construction company, said 28 of the children will be going to an agricultural college, where they will learn more about nut farming so that they can come back and use that knowledge in growing the business.
Although they will be funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), Zulu said they will also rely on the profit made from the peanut butter business to support themselves.
“This peanut butter business is for them and other poverty-stricken children, so it is important that they know how to run it themselves,” said Zulu.
One of the pupils is Amahle Msane, a grade 12 pupil at Tshelenkosi High School.
She said being part of Izwi Lothando has taught her a lot about life and independence.
“It feels good being part of such projects in my community because I get to help those less fortunate than me. I am happy that I will be going to college to further my studies in agriculture,” said the 18-year-old.
They currently supply local tuckshops and take orders from residents around KwaDukuza.
A 5 litre bucket costs R430 and a 500ml jar R40. To order contact Zulu at 082 515 1701.
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