Women in KwaZulu-Natal Show How Sustainable Businesses Can Make a Difference
Good Things Guy | 22.02.2026 15:00
Local entrepreneurs in KwaZulu-Natal are proving that climate-smart businesses can create opportunities and preserve ecosystems.
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (22 February 2026) – In northern KwaZulu-Natal, building a business isn’t just about turning a profit, but about protecting the land and feeding the community at the same time.
Around the iSimangaliso Wetland Park World Heritage Site, women are launching climate-smart enterprises that are restoring fragile ecosystems while strengthening food security in one of South Africa’s most vulnerable regions. From poultry farming to egg distribution and sustainable fishing, these entrepreneurs are proving that economic independence and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.
At the heart of this movement is a partnership between leading conservation organisation WILDTRUST and Indalo Inclusive, a non-profit championing socially and environmentally responsible entrepreneurship.
Several entrepreneurs have already progressed through the programme’s development phases, with women leading many of the enterprises.
21-year-old Nokuthula Msweli is one of them. The founder of Thule’s Poultry Farm in KwaDapha, she runs a broiler chicken business using an Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) approach. Her farm now provides a reliable protein source to her community, employs two people and supports 14 dependants.
“Being part of the programme has been transformative. It enabled me to refine my strategy, improve efficiency, and expand my market reach.”
Moving to eNkovukeni, Nosihle Ngubane is making her mark with a fast-growing egg sourcing, packaging and delivery business supplying local e-tailers, wholesalers and individual customers.
“With the help of WILDTRUST and Indalo Inclusive, I have been able to grow my operations and build long-term business relationships.”
Meanwhile in KwaZibi, Thobile Shange is the founder of Liyana Layer Farm. She is blending academic expertise with practical innovation. She produces organic, free-range eggs using invasive aquatic plants as feed, tackling environmental degradation and high input costs in one move.
“I realised that expensive feed was a major challenge, so I explored natural alternatives that also help address climate change.”
For 56-year-old Jane Mthembu from KwaDapha, the initiative has brought renewed stability. A widow and mother of five, she has returned to her role as a Small-Scale Fisher Monitor.
Nozi Mbongwa, Senior Project Manager at WILDTRUST, explained that the project is equipping women with confidence and support to build environmentally sustainable enterprises rooted in their local communities.
These women are leading change and doing so while feeding their communities.
