Sometimes the best farming stories are the ones you never planned to tell.
By Maphuti Mongatane, business development manager at African Farming
On a recent Saturday afternoon, while attending a family function in Mapela Ga-Mabuela in Limpopo, my thoughts drifted to a young poultry farmer I had heard about. Her name is Itumeleng Mahwete, and she is the founder of Nakedi Poultry Farm. Something told me I needed to make a quick detour before heading home.
That spontaneous decision led me to one of the most inspiring young women in agriculture I have met in a long time. It quickly became clear that this was not just another poultry operation in a village. This was the story of a young woman who had turned determination into a thriving business while creating opportunities for others along the way.
From humble beginnings
Itumeleng established Nakedi Poultry Farm in 2021 with very limited resources, starting with only a small flock. She had identified a growing demand for chicken in her community. Like many other young people entering agriculture, she had little practical experience and had to learn through trial and error. Every challenge became a lesson. Every setback became an opportunity to improve.
“I had to learn everything,” she says. “I had to understand which feeders work best, how to manage production and how to run a sustainable poultry business. It was not easy, but I remained consistent.”
Five years later, that consistency is paying off.
Today, Nakedi Poultry Farm employs five permanent workers, supplies various markets and continues to grow despite challenges.
Also read: From fields of hope to fields of opportunity: Young women farmers helping secure South Africa’s future
Building a business one chicken at a time
The business currently supplies between 2 500 and 3 150 chickens per week.
To meet market demand, Nakedi Poultry Farm works closely with commercial poultry suppliers who provide stock on a weekly basis. The chickens are then distributed to a wide range of customers, including street vendors, households and local food businesses. The demand is there. The market is there. The ambition is certainly there.
The biggest obstacle standing in the way of further growth is infrastructure.
“Our facilities are not yet sufficient for the production levels we want to achieve,” says Itumeleng. “The lack of infrastructure slows our expansion plans and affects our margins.”
Her vision is to produce and raise her own birds at scale rather than relying heavily on external suppliers. “By now we should have been producing our own 3 000 chickens and supplying directly to the market. That remains our goal.”
Recognition and a bigger dream
The hard work has not gone unnoticed. In 2025, Itumeleng received provincial recognition as a young farmer, an achievement that validated years of persistence and sacrifice.
Whereas many other emerging farmers would focus only on growing their own businesses, Itumeleng’s ambitions stretch beyond the boundaries of her farm. Her greatest wish is to help other young farmers avoid the mistakes and frustrations she experienced.
“As young farmers, many of us don’t know what opportunities exist or where to get information,” she says. “I had to learn many lessons the hard way. If I had received the right information earlier, I would be much further ahead today.”
She dreams of creating opportunities for knowledge sharing, mentorship and practical training for emerging farmers.
Also read: She slept in a tent to build her pecan nut empire: Sibongile Mabasa’s journey of determination
Finance, records and discipline
One lesson stands out above all others in her journey: the importance of record-keeping. For Itumeleng, bookkeeping is not simply an administrative task; it is one of the foundations of a successful farming business.
“When you apply for funding, one of the first things institutions want to see is your records,” she says. “You must know your expenses, your income and your production figures.”
She encourages aspiring young farmers to take bookkeeping seriously from day one. Good records not only help secure funding but also enable farmers to understand whether their businesses are truly profitable.
Creating jobs and changing lives
As Nakedi Poultry Farm grows, so does its impact. The business already provides employment opportunities in the local community and aims to create even more jobs as expansion plans materialise. Itumeleng’s long-term vision includes building environmentally controlled poultry houses, increasing production capacity and creating sustainable employment opportunities for young people in the area.
A relationship built on trust
One of the most remarkable aspects of Itumeleng’s operation is the relationship she has built with her employees. She speaks proudly about the trust and respect that exist between management and workers.
“I have never experienced theft on the farm,” she says. “I believe it is because of the relationships we have built. My workers protect the business because they understand that its success benefits all of us.”
It is a powerful reminder that successful farming is ultimately about people.
Also read: 10 questions about swopping science for broilers – poultry farmer Prudence Thuli Mokwene
Inspired by African Farming
Itumeleng told me how she has followed African Farming’s journey over the years. She regularly attends workshops, follows the publication’s WhatsApp channel, keeps an eye out for content shared online and draws inspiration from stories of fellow farmers featured on the platform.
Her message to fellow young farmers is to keep learning, and to follow platforms that provide information and opportunities. “The knowledge is there, and it can help you move your farming business forward.”
The future looks bright
As I drove away from Nakedi Poultry Farm and headed back to my family function, I couldn’t help but feel inspired. Here was a young woman from a rural village who refused to wait for opportunities to come knocking. Instead, she created her own.
Itumeleng’s journey is proof that agriculture continues to create pathways for young people who are willing to work hard, learn continuously and remain committed to their goals.
If her determination is anything to go by, Nakedi Poultry Farm’s best days are still ahead.
Also read: She quit her job and now owns 133 cattle and 147 goats: Meet Tlhalefo Dithebe
