Afola Mbotshwa, founder of Feathered Fields Farming, is actively entering the competitive poultry farming sector, striving to build a sustainable future. Through systematic expansion and family support, this young agricultural college graduate has transformed a modest startup in vacant buildings into a growing commercial enterprise.
Mbotshwa began learning about agriculture at an early age, living and growing up in Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal. There, he often observed his maternal grandfather, Kaiser Mpurkhwane, managing a small farm that produced cabbage and sweet potatoes.
Despite the proximity to agricultural activities, Mbotshwa did not initially plan to build a career in this field. His professional path changed abruptly during his transition to higher education. He first attended Kokstad Junior School, and then Kokstad College. Mbotshwa recalls: 'I didn't fall in love with farming until I went to university.'
He initially intended to study law, but a friend convinced him otherwise, stating: 'I don't see you sitting in an office for 12 hours a day; you can barely sit in a classroom for eight hours.'
The friend advised him to join him in the agricultural sector. At the time, he did not imagine it would lead to such success, and he thanks Sange Keju for it.
He enrolled at Owen Sithole Agricultural College in Empangeni to continue his studies. In 2024, while still a student, he officially started his farming journey. After graduating from college, Mbotshwa moved to Mount-Frere in the Eastern Cape to establish his business on family land that originally belonged to his grandfather.
His family supported his decision, especially given the high unemployment rate in the country, viewing it as a chance to earn and become self-sufficient. He noted that his parents provided financial support that allowed the business to grow.
Initial operations were launched in the rural area of Mangkamzeni in Mount-Frere, utilizing an unconventional space—a vacant two-room apartment. He started production with a batch of 200 chicks, gradually increasing capacity to 500. By December, he increased it to 1000 chicks to capitalize on high demand during the holiday season.
However, running a permanent livestock business in the area faced serious infrastructure problems. Acute local issues with water supply and reliance on rainwater made daily operations unsustainable. This forced Mbotshwa to make a strategic decision to relocate the entire enterprise to Franklin.
Today, he manages a poultry farm on a 1.6-hectare plot. Mbotshwa is also working on expanding physical facilities to house more chickens. This structural expansion was a major milestone for the young entrepreneur, who officially registered his agribusiness as Feathered Fields Farming in 2025. With the help of his parents, Thaba and Magic Mbotshwa, he was able to acquire a tractor.
At the beginning of this year, Mbotshwa hired two permanent workers: Lomelelo Londvu and Mavande Kamane to assist with daily farm management. Despite the growth, maintaining the expanding poultry farm requires overcoming constant financial constraints. Since there is no external corporate or government funding, Mbotshwa covers all expenses from personal funds.
Farm income is generated by selling whole and processed chickens directly to small poultry retailers and local catering companies. Nevertheless, Mbotshwa aims to enter formal mainstream markets. His ultimate goal for Feathered Fields Farming is to turn it into one of the largest poultry producers in South Africa, acquire more land, build better facilities, and establish an independent slaughterhouse.
Furthermore, he intends to make the farm global and renowned, using his platform to support future generations by creating youth employment and launching a diverse scholarship program. He emphasizes that his guiding philosophy for young people wishing to enter agriculture is patience and mental resilience. He advises: 'Believe in yourself and your abilities, and farming is not a get-rich-quick scheme. Success in farming comes over time—one step forward is better than none. Be prepared to work hard, as farming is demanding both physically and emotionally.'
Xolelwa Mthetho, who initially dreamed of a career in the film industry, changed her life path after witnessing food security issues in her community, directing her efforts towards agriculture.
Even before her graduation ceremony at Nelson Mandela University, she was already involved in building her business. Today, the graduate with a degree in 'Agricultural Management' manages Kwande Poultry Farm. This company produces quality broilers directly in her home village of KwaNdungvana, located in Cofimvaba, Eastern Cape.
While looking for a job, Mthetho noticed a significant gap in the local market: villagers were entirely dependent on trips to the city to purchase basic goods. Realizing this opportunity, she decided to engage in farming while preparing for graduation.
In February 2026, Mthetho shared her ambitions, which had been growing since 2024 when she registered Kwande Poultry Farm, with her mother. With zero budget, her mother, Bongive Fungile, helped by providing essential support.
Her interest in agriculture was not accidental. Mthetho explains that the attraction began in Grade 11 when she became highly interested in genetics. She recalls: 'I was fascinated by how genes influence the characteristics and productivity of plants and animals.'
By the time she finished school, her career path was clear. She applied for agricultural programs and enrolled at Nelson Mandela University. In her first year of university, she realized her love for agriculture but did not yet know which specific area she wanted to specialize in.
To test her commitment, she bought five sheep. This practical step, as she tells Food For Mzansi, ultimately defined her lifelong career in farming.
Initially, Mthetho started with 50 chicks per cycle, but now she raises 200 birds per batch. This scale suits her because it allows for careful control and simplifies management. Mthetho notes that she usually waits at least two weeks between batches before introducing new birds. This time is used for proper cleaning, reducing disease risk, and preparing the area for the next cycle.
Although biosecurity is more manageable at this scale, it remains critically important, especially when batches are of different ages. She points out that the main risk is related to movement between young and old stock, rather than direct contact. She prevents cross-contamination and strictly controls feeding and movement procedures.
At this stage, she emphasizes that consistency and discipline matter more than flock size. Since launch, the community has provided enormous support, and the business is growing through 'word of mouth' and social media. Although her target market is her village and surrounding areas, she currently cannot meet local demand.
Nevertheless, this does not stop her from setting big goals. In the coming years, Mthetho plans for Kwande Poultry Farm to become a regular supplier for both local communities and retail stores. She shares the desire to 'expand production, improve biosecurity systems, and stabilize batches to meet larger and more consistent demand.'
To achieve this goal, she is focusing on increasing production, modernizing housing systems, securing reliable market agreements, and seeking funding to improve infrastructure.
Mthetho's passion for agriculture gradually strengthened during her studies. She notes that a major turning point came when Dr. Ernest Dubbe, a lecturer at Nelson Mandela University, offered her the opportunity to gain practical experience through an internship on his farm.
Although her initial interest lay in agricultural genetics, this practical experience in farming and agricultural management opened her eyes to broader opportunities in the industry. Looking back on her university education, Mthetho believes that agriculture is a practical, business-oriented field that requires a balance between theory and real-world experience.
She concludes: 'One of my biggest lessons is that agriculture is unpredictable and requires resilience. Issues like diseases, costs, and market changes are part of the industry, so patience and adaptability are necessary.'
Her main takeaway is that the sector is full of opportunities even for those without traditional farming experience. With dedication, practical experience, and consistency, she believes it is entirely possible to build a meaningful career in this field.
