Ntombenhle Kubheka Builds a Growing Poultry Enterprise Through the Masibuyele Esibayeni Programme

Ms Ntombenhle Kubheka, a dedicated farmer from Charl Cilliers in Govan Mbeki Local Municipality, is working to grow her agricultural enterprise and move towards commercial farming. As the owner of Sanblue (Pty) Ltd, she has developed a diversified farming operation that includes free-range indigenous chickens, goats, sheep and cattle. Her commitment to farming has also led her to seek practical support that can strengthen her poultry production and create a stronger foundation for future growth. Through the Masibuyele Esibayeni Programme, Kubheka received a set of 100 Black Australorp chicks together with medication that she applied for during the 2023/24 financial year. The support forms part of her ongoing effort to develop her farming business and pursue her goal of becoming a commercial farmer.

Kubheka’s journey reflects the importance of practical agricultural support for emerging farmers who are working to expand their enterprises. Her application through the Masibuyele Esibayeni Programme was driven by her passion for farming and her intention to boost her poultry business. Receiving 100 Black Australorp chicks gives her an opportunity to increase the number of birds in her enterprise and build further experience in poultry production. The accompanying medication also forms part of the support provided to help her manage the health needs of the chickens. For an emerging farmer, access to livestock and appropriate animal health inputs can provide useful resources for developing a more structured farming operation.

The Black Australorp chickens add another component to Kubheka’s existing agricultural activities. Poultry farming can provide farmers with an opportunity to diversify their enterprises while making productive use of available resources. Managing chickens requires attention to housing, feeding, water, hygiene and animal health, as well as consistent monitoring of the flock. The medication provided through the programme can support the health management of the birds when used appropriately and according to relevant guidance. Building sound poultry management practices can help Kubheka strengthen her experience as she works towards expanding Sanblue (Pty) Ltd.

Kubheka’s farming operation extends beyond poultry production. She currently keeps free-range indigenous chickens as well as goats, sheep and cattle, giving her enterprise a diverse livestock base. Each type of livestock has different management requirements, which means that maintaining such a diversified farm requires knowledge, commitment and careful planning. Her decision to work across several livestock activities also creates opportunities to develop experience in different areas of animal production. As the enterprise develops, effective management of each livestock activity will remain important to her plans for future commercial farming.

Her focus on free-range indigenous chickens is particularly relevant to the development of a diversified poultry enterprise. Indigenous chickens are commonly kept in smallholder and emerging farming systems, where farmers can integrate poultry into broader livestock activities. Free-range production requires farmers to pay attention to the environment in which birds forage while still ensuring access to adequate nutrition, water and protection. Animal health remains an important consideration regardless of the production system used. Kubheka’s combination of indigenous chickens and the newly received Black Australorp chicks provides her with additional poultry resources as she continues developing her farming enterprise.

The support received through the Masibuyele Esibayeni Programme also demonstrates the role that agricultural programmes can play in assisting emerging farmers. Farmers often need access to productive assets and inputs to turn their farming plans into practical activities. In Kubheka’s case, the application made during the 2023/24 financial year resulted in support for her poultry enterprise through chicks and medication. Such assistance can help farmers increase production capacity while gaining practical experience in managing livestock. The effectiveness of this support will depend on continued management, animal health practices and the farmer’s ability to develop the enterprise over time.

Kubheka’s ambition to become a commercial farmer provides a clear direction for her agricultural activities. Moving towards commercial production involves more than increasing the number of animals on a farm. It requires farmers to develop appropriate production systems, maintain accurate records, understand their costs and identify viable markets for their products. Business planning and financial management also become increasingly important as an agricultural enterprise grows. Kubheka’s existing combination of poultry, goats, sheep and cattle provides a base from which she can continue building her farming experience while working towards greater commercial participation.

The development of Sanblue (Pty) Ltd also highlights the importance of viewing farming as a business. A growing agricultural enterprise needs careful planning to ensure that available resources are used effectively and that production decisions support long-term objectives. Farmers must consider animal health, feed requirements, infrastructure, labour and market opportunities as their operations expand. Keeping reliable records can also help farmers understand production performance and make informed business decisions. Kubheka’s commitment to expanding her enterprise shows the importance of combining a passion for farming with the practical discipline required to build a sustainable agricultural business.

Her farming activities in Charl Cilliers also demonstrate the contribution that emerging farmers can make to local agricultural development. Small and growing farming enterprises can create opportunities for increased food production and economic participation within rural and agricultural communities. When farmers receive productive support and develop their technical and business skills, they can strengthen the capacity of their enterprises. Kubheka’s livestock activities provide an example of an emerging agricultural business that is seeking to expand its productive base. Her commercial farming ambition gives her enterprise a longer-term development goal.

The story of Ntombenhle Kubheka and Sanblue (Pty) Ltd shows how determination, agricultural support and practical farming experience can come together in the development of an emerging farm. Through the Masibuyele Esibayeni Programme, she received 100 Black Australorp chicks and medication after applying for support during the 2023/24 financial year. She is building on this support while managing free-range indigenous chickens, goats, sheep and cattle as part of a diversified livestock enterprise. Her goal of becoming a commercial farmer provides a clear path for continued development and expansion. As she builds her poultry and livestock activities, Kubheka’s work reflects the ongoing effort of emerging farmers to turn agricultural opportunities into sustainable and productive businesses.