Uluthando Agri-Projects is a start-up success story that has mushroomed to the point of supplying 14 businesses across the province.

Founded by KwaDukuza’s “Mushroom Queen” Sithembile Ndlovu in 2022, the fungi farming business really took off after she won last year’s iLembe Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur Competition. As part of her prize, she received R90 000 worth of advertising from the Courier. The response was so overwhelming that she had to stop placing adverts as her products sold out faster than she could produce them. The exposure also opened doors to business partnerships, with local restaurants and businesses eager to stock her products.

The combination of business mentorship and exposure has seen the business grow into Durban, Richards Bay, Gingindlovu, Empangeni and Mtubatuba from its KwaDukuza home.

“The Entrepreneur Competition equipped me with everything I needed to propel my business forward,” said Ndlovu.

“I continue to receive more orders than I can take on because of limited working space, but I am going to relocate to new premises soon.”

Ndlovu hopes a larger operation will allow her to continue a series of recent projects, diversify her offering and expand the business’ reach locally.

Earlier this year, she partnered with the Durban University of Technology to supply grow bags to agriculture students, from which they can produce their own mushrooms. Meanwhile, she is mentoring five elderly women in Eshowe who will soon open their own farm under her supervision.

“They wanted a way to continue living and I was more than happy to share the knowledge I have with them,” she said.

“I will also work with youth and women in my church to teach them farming skills and keep young people off the streets.”

The 2025 iLembe Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur Competition is currently underway and Ndlovu said she is confident that this year’s participants will benefit from similar exposure and opportunities that she received.

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