LIMPOPO – A dedicated and passionate young entrepreneur, Mukhethwa Muhali is on a mission to build a sustainable future through agriculture.

Building a sustainable poultry business

Based in Miluwani Sokotenda near Thohoyandou, the 29-year-old is committed to growing her business, Khethies Fresh Golden Eggs, into a fully established and profitable poultry enterprise that supplies fresh, high-quality eggs to local markets, and eventually to larger retail and commercial clients.

Muhali, who holds a degree in cost accounting from the University of Venda and is currently pursuing an honours degree, wants to empower young people to see agriculture as a viable and rewarding career path.

She says her journey in poultry farming was inspired by a desire to create a reliable source of income while contributing to food security in her community.

“I realised that poultry farming has a high demand and could help me build a stable business that can grow with time. I also wanted to prove that young people can succeed in agriculture.”

Always learning

Although the road has presented its challenges, Muhali says the experience has shaped her both as a farmer and as a businessperson. “Every step has taught me something new, and seeing my progress keeps me motivated to push forward,” she added.

Her commitment to excellence is evident in the way she runs her operation. She follows strict biosecurity practices, maintains clean housing environments, uses high-quality feed and continuously monitors her chickens to ensure optimal health. Careful planning of each production cycle helps her prevent shortages and improve overall efficiency.

“My goal is to produce safe, affordable, and reliable chicken products that meet the needs of my community,” she explained.

She says what she loves most about layer farming is seeing progress unfold in real time. “Every cycle teaches me something new. Good management, proper feeding and consistent care make a visible difference. It’s rewarding to know that I’m producing something meaningful for the community.”

Now two years into her journey, she has big dreams for the future. She envisions running a fully automated, large-scale commercial poultry operation with increased capacity, creating employment and supplying major markets. She also hopes to mentor other young people interested in agriculture in her community.