Mpumalanga Farmer’s Journey From Street Egg Sales to a 30,000-Chicken Poultry Empire Gets Major Boost

Mpumalanga MEC for Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (DARDLEA), Ms Khethiwe Moeketsi, will officially hand over the state-of-the-art Eggsellent by Lebo Chicken Layer Project to its beneficiary in Kwaggafontein on Tuesday, 18 August 2026. The handover, which will take place in partnership with the National Empowerment Fund (NEF), marks the completion of a major agricultural development project that has grown from a small backyard operation into a large-scale egg production enterprise. Located under Thembisile Hani Local Municipality in the Nkangala District, the project now houses 30,000 egg-laying chickens and supplies quality eggs to consumers across the district and surrounding areas. The development represents one of DARDLEA’s success stories and demonstrates how targeted government support can help emerging farmers expand their operations and participate more meaningfully in the agricultural economy. The official handover will also mark an important milestone for 36-year-old beneficiary Ms Lebo Mashigo, whose passion for egg production helped lay the foundation for the enterprise several years ago.

The story of Eggsellent by Lebo began on a much smaller scale when Mashigo started producing eggs from a backyard layer operation and selling them on the streets. Her early experience allowed her to identify demand for eggs while developing practical knowledge of poultry production and sales. As demand for her products increased, she recognised the need to expand production and approached the Department for assistance. Her application eventually resulted in government support during the 2022/23 financial year through the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP). The funding enabled the project to move beyond its backyard beginnings and develop the infrastructure required to operate a significantly larger commercial layer enterprise.

The CASP-supported development included an extensive scope of work designed to establish the necessary infrastructure for sustainable egg production. An Environmental Impact Assessment formed part of the process, ensuring that environmental considerations were incorporated into the development of the project. The construction programme included two environmentally friendly layer houses, each designed to accommodate 15,000 birds, providing a combined capacity of 30,000 chickens. The project also received a storeroom, packhouse, ablution facilities and fencing, creating a more complete production environment for the beneficiary. Together, these investments have transformed Eggsellent by Lebo from a small-scale poultry operation into a structured agricultural enterprise with the capacity to supply a much larger market.

The location of the project also plays an important role in its development and future prospects. Eggsellent by Lebo Pty Ltd operates on land acquired from the Ndzundza Somphalali Traditional Council in Kwaggafontein E under a Permission to Occupy (PTO). Access to suitable land has allowed the beneficiary to establish infrastructure on a dedicated site and develop the operation at a scale that would not have been possible through the original backyard model. The project is situated within Thembisile Hani Local Municipality in the Nkangala District, placing it within a community where agricultural enterprises can contribute to local economic activity. Its production of quality eggs also allows the project to participate in a value chain that connects farmers with consumers, retailers, suppliers and other businesses.

One of DARDLEA’s key objectives in supporting Eggsellent by Lebo was to help unlock the beneficiary’s potential to create employment through the egg production value chain. A commercial layer operation requires workers and service providers across several areas, including poultry management, feeding, cleaning, egg collection, packaging, transportation and administration. As the project grows, these activities can create additional opportunities for people in the surrounding community. The economic impact can also extend to suppliers that provide feed, equipment, veterinary services, transport and other inputs required by the poultry industry. This makes the project relevant not only as an agricultural enterprise but also as a potential contributor to broader economic development in Nkangala.

The project’s membership of the Southern African Poultry Association provides another opportunity for Eggsellent by Lebo to strengthen its position within the poultry industry. Industry membership can create opportunities for networking, partnerships and exposure to suppliers and other stakeholders operating within the poultry value chain. It can also support knowledge sharing and help the beneficiary stay informed about developments affecting poultry production and the egg market. Access to industry relationships may become increasingly important as the enterprise seeks to expand its customer base and enter larger markets. With a production capacity of 30,000 laying chickens, the project has a strong foundation from which to explore additional commercial opportunities while continuing to improve its operations.

The involvement of the National Empowerment Fund alongside DARDLEA in the official handover highlights the importance of partnerships in supporting emerging agricultural businesses. Government departments can provide infrastructure and agricultural support, while institutions focused on economic empowerment can contribute to broader opportunities for business development and participation. For a project such as Eggsellent by Lebo, long-term sustainability will depend on more than the completion of physical infrastructure. The enterprise will need sound financial management, effective poultry production practices, reliable markets, appropriate animal health measures and continued business development. The handover therefore represents both the completion of the Department’s funded project scope and the beginning of the beneficiary’s next stage of business growth.

The scale of Eggsellent by Lebo is a significant change from the backyard operation that Mashigo started at a young age. Moving from selling eggs on the streets to managing a facility designed for 30,000 laying birds illustrates the potential for small agricultural initiatives to develop when farmers gain access to suitable support and infrastructure. The journey also demonstrates the importance of farmers identifying market demand and actively seeking opportunities to grow their enterprises. Mashigo’s experience provides an example of how entrepreneurial initiative can work alongside government agricultural programmes to create larger and more productive farming operations. Her development from a small-scale producer into the beneficiary of a major layer project is central to the significance of the upcoming handover.

The Eggsellent by Lebo project also has the potential to contribute to food supply in the Nkangala District and beyond. Eggs form an important part of the food market, and local production can help connect consumers with agricultural products produced closer to their communities. Producing thousands of eggs through a structured commercial operation requires consistent management and attention to quality, which can strengthen the project’s ability to serve its customers. Maintaining production standards will be important as the enterprise builds its reputation and seeks to access larger markets. The combination of production capacity, industry membership and improved infrastructure gives the beneficiary a platform from which to develop a sustainable poultry business.

The official handover is scheduled for Tuesday, 18 August 2026, at the Eggsellent by Lebo Layer Project, with proceedings starting at 09h00. The venue is listed as the Eggsellent by Lebo Layer Project at Kwaggafontein Community Hall in Thembisile Hani Local Municipality. MEC Khethiwe Moeketsi will lead the handover to Ms Lebo Mashigo, alongside representatives of the National Empowerment Fund and other stakeholders. The event will provide an opportunity to recognise the completion of the project and highlight the role of agricultural support in developing emerging farmers. It will also bring attention to the potential of poultry production to create employment, support local economic activity and strengthen agricultural participation in Mpumalanga.

The completion of Eggsellent by Lebo represents an important milestone for DARDLEA and for the beneficiary who began her journey with a small backyard layer operation. From its origins in local egg sales to a modern facility housing 30,000 laying chickens, the project demonstrates what can be achieved when entrepreneurial drive is combined with targeted agricultural support. The infrastructure delivered through CASP has created a foundation for the enterprise to increase production, improve market access and explore further opportunities within the poultry industry. Continued participation in industry networks such as the Southern African Poultry Association can further support the project’s growth through partnerships, knowledge and market connections. As MEC Moeketsi officially hands over the completed facility on 18 August 2026, Eggsellent by Lebo stands as an example of how investment in emerging farmers can contribute to sustainable businesses, employment opportunities and stronger local food production in Nkangala.