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Once his only source of income and creating employment opportunities in the Daantjie community, Mduduzi Mondlane's poultry business in Daantjie, Pienaar has been badly affected by load-shedding.
Mondlane saw himself running the business at a loss when higher stages of load-shedding were implemented, especially in 2022.
He started this small business in 2018 after he was laid off from work as a welder.
"I have always been enthusiastic about farming, and I saw my dream becoming true when I managed to start this poultry business. Unemployment and lacking the means to sustain myself were the biggest drives to start."
Mondlane said he built a shelter for the chickens at his home and managed to get 100 broiler chickens as a start-up.
"The demand grew, and I managed to get the layer chickens for egg production and extended the shelter. Business went well, that I even supplied chickens and eggs to some retailers. I got additional funding from the National Youth Development Agency and City of Mbombela Youth Development Fund to obtain an incubator for the eggs."
The 31-year-old said as load-shedding continued at higher stages, much of the profits were used to buy diesel for the generator supplying power to the incubator.
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"Over time I could not keep the incubator running as it should, for at least 23 days. I recorded the biggest loss in November last year. About 8 000 eggs got rotten and I lost capital of R75 000. My heart was shattered."
Mondlane added that he could not keep the two people he employed.
He said the recent stage 6 load-shedding delivered the last blow to his business. It remains shut down until he is able to reopen again.
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"Load-shedding will not stop me from achieving this dream. I enjoyed the little time I had rearing the chickens and creating job opportunities. I will achieve my dreams to make it in the agriculture sector in Mpumalanga," Mondlane insisted.
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