In the heart of Mbumbulu, Batholithemba kaMakhanya is breaking barriers and serving up success one delicious chicken at a time. Meet the entrepreneur who is filling a vital gap in her community, bringing families together with her nutritious home grown chicken, and inspiring a new generation of young women to take a leap into entrepreneurship.
Hatching a Dream
Growing up in Mbumbulu, Batholithemba kaMakhanya knew the importance of having ‘isibhumbulu egcekeni’ which loosely translate to a ‘full chicken at home’, as it’s known to brings families together. Seeing a gap in local supply inspired her to start her chicken business, and with support from her community, it’s thriving.
“I had support and encouragement from most people in my life, and that’s why the farm is thriving today,” she says. But it’s not all smooth sailing, balancing priorities has been a challenge. “I’ve realized that I need to be intentional about everything I touch and put my mind to.”
Feathering the Nest
Her advice to young entrepreneurs? “It takes so much discipline and hard work to maintain and sustain something, find that one goal, stick to it, and ask God to help you be a finisher!” The business is taking off, with posters and social media snaps of customers working wonders. “They love seeing their faces on our socials. I think they find me cool and umtwana, (young)” she laughs.
However, it’s not just about the business, it’s about giving back. “We want to help young people from Umbumbulu access education, a future where every young person is educated, skilled, and able to create opportunities.”
Scratching the Surface
As she looks to the future, she’s clear on what’s needed: “Confidence, education, and strategy and staying connected with others allows you to continuously gain knowledge, share experiences, and improve.”
And to young women looking to follow in her footsteps, she says: “It’s inspiring to see more women taking up space, those of us who have had the exposure carry a responsibility to uplift and mentor younger women, helping them build confidence.”
