When Khulile Mahlalela’s aspirations of becoming a geologist were shattered by poor matric results, she faced the difficult task of making life-altering decisions. Determined to forge her path, she sought employment as a general worker on a farm in Mpumalanga. After completing her Grade 12 studies, Mahlalela (32) secured a job at a large-scale pig production business in Middleburg, Mpumalanga, where she dedicated five years to absorbing everything she could about piggery.
Growing up in a farming community often restricts opportunities for young individuals, and farmworkers face additional disadvantages due to the challenging circumstances they work under, including low wages and limited prospects for advancement. However, Mahlalela defied the odds and emerged as a remarkable exception—a successful farmer. She attributes her accomplishments to the invaluable experience gained as a farmworker and an apprentice at Kanhym Estates Piggery Business, which fostered her skills and passion for pig farming.
In 2010, Mahlalela founded Legend Piggery after completing a Diploma in Animal Production from Mangosuthu University of Technology in KwaZulu-Natal. She embarked on her farming journey with cautious steps, initially operating on a leased 0.5-hectare plot and managing just three pregnant pigs. Over time, her operation expanded, and she eventually accumulated 271 pigs.
Driven by an unwavering determination to succeed, Mahlalela applied to the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) for additional land to further expand her business. Her application proved successful, resulting in a 30-year lease on 123 hectares of arable land earlier this year. The farm, previously owned, includes 10 hectares of peach trees and a fishing dam. Filled with excitement, Mahlalela expressed gratitude to the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development for blessing her with this land, perceiving it as a golden opportunity waiting to be seized.
Looking ahead, Mahlalela plans to diversify her enterprise by venturing into fruit cultivation and fishing. Her exceptional knowledge and passion for the piggery business have garnered recognition, earning her several accolades, including the esteemed title of Mpumalanga’s 2019 Female Farmer of the Year. This achievement came with a prize of R300,000, which she plans to invest in further strengthening her business.
Despite facing setbacks such as swine flu and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Mahlalela’s business continues to thrive. Her supply of 10 pigs per month to an abattoir in Bronkhorspruit and a Pretoria-based market remains uninterrupted. Additionally, the support from the local community bolsters the success of Legend Piggery. Through her enterprise, Mahlalela contributes to job creation and food security, aligning with the objectives of the DALRRD’s mandate.
Khulile Mahlalela’s remarkable journey from a farmworker to a successful farmer exemplifies the power of resilience, determination, and seizing opportunities. Her story serves as an inspiration to aspiring farmers, proving that with passion and hard work, dreams can be transformed into reality, even in the face of adversity.
