14/09/2026
𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞🐥
At 52 years old, Yoliswa Mengu is proving that it is never too late to pursue a dream. Through determination, hard work and a willingness to learn, she is transforming her passion for agriculture into a growing poultry enterprise that creates opportunities not only for herself but also for the community she serves.
Driven by her ambition to become a successful businesswoman, Yoliswa enrolled in agricultural training in Humansdorp, where she gained practical knowledge about poultry farming and learned the fundamentals of raising healthy chickens. As part of the programme, she received her first 100 chicks, allowing her to put her newly acquired skills into practice and begin her journey as a poultry farmer.
Recognising her commitment and potential, the Amandla Omoya Trust later came alongside Yoliswa through its Enterprise Development Programme, supporting her as she continued to grow her business.
Rather than simply investing in a business, the Trust invests in people, walking alongside entrepreneurs as they build sustainable livelihoods, strengthen their businesses and create opportunities within their communities.
Starting a business was both exciting and challenging. Like many first-time entrepreneurs, Yoliswa quickly realised that success would depend on patience, consistency and an unwavering commitment to quality. Rather than seeing challenges as setbacks, she embraced them as opportunities to learn and improve.
For Yoliswa, raising healthy chickens begins long before they are ready for sale. Every day starts with checking on the flock to ensure they are healthy, comfortable and feeding well. Their living environment must be kept clean and sanitised to reduce the risk of disease, while maintaining the correct temperature is essential because young chicks are particularly vulnerable during their early stages of growth.
"It is better to prevent disease than to cure it," she explains.
This philosophy guides every aspect of her work. She ensures the chickens always have access to clean drinking water, nutritious feed and a safe environment where they can grow. She carefully monitors their health and follows the recommended vaccination schedule to protect the flock from common poultry diseases. Attention to these small but important details has become the foundation of her business.
Perhaps what sets Yoliswa apart most is the genuine care she has for the animals she raises.
"I treat them as my own babies," she says with a warm smile.
Her words reflect the pride she takes in her work. Each chicken represents more than a product to be sold; it represents months of dedication, careful planning and the hope of building a better future through honest work.
As her confidence has grown, so too has her customer base. Today, Yoliswa supplies chickens to customers in Jeffreys Bay, Humansdorp and Hankey, steadily earning a reputation for producing healthy, quality poultry. She sells individual chickens for R100 while also supplying customers who purchase in larger quantities, allowing her business to serve both households and small traders.
What makes her business particularly meaningful is the compassion she extends to her customers. Understanding that many elderly residents rely on monthly pension payments, Yoliswa offers flexible payment arrangements where needed, allowing them to pay at month-end. This approach reflects her belief that business should not only generate an income but should also strengthen the community by serving people with dignity, understanding and respect.
Like many emerging entrepreneurs, Yoliswa's journey has not been without its challenges. Building a business requires continuous learning, financial discipline and resilience. From managing input costs to maintaining healthy stock and meeting customer demand, every day brings new responsibilities. Despite these obstacles, she remains focused on her long-term vision and continues to grow her enterprise with determination.
The continued support she has received through the Amandla Omoya Trust has strengthened her ability to grow with confidence. By investing in entrepreneurs who have demonstrated commitment and potential, the Trust helps create an environment where small businesses can develop sustainably, contributing to local economic growth and creating lasting opportunities for families and communities.
Looking ahead, Yoliswa hopes to continue expanding her poultry enterprise by increasing production, reaching more customers and creating a business that can support her family for years to come. She also hopes her journey will inspire others, particularly women and aspiring entrepreneurs, to believe that meaningful opportunities can emerge at any stage of life when paired with determination and the right support.
Yoliswa's story is a powerful reminder that Enterprise Development is about far more than starting a business. It is about unlocking potential, nurturing ambition and walking alongside entrepreneurs as they build sustainable livelihoods that strengthen their communities.
One chick at a time, one customer at a time and one opportunity at a time, Yoliswa Mengu is building a future filled with purpose, proving that with determination, hard work and the right support, small beginnings can lead to remarkable achievements.🐥✨
