THE FUSE

Khanyisa Bele is showing how determination and a willingness to pursue a long-held passion can open new opportunities in agriculture. After taking voluntary early retirement from the mining industry, Bele established the Mgayo and Bele Projects in 2024 and began turning her dream of poultry farming into a growing agribusiness. Based in Munyu Village under the Mbashe Local Municipality, the project has developed from an idea into a poultry operation that produces broiler chickens and processes them at its own abattoir. The business supplies packaged chicken to local schools and SPAR stores in Dutywa while also providing slaughtering and processing services to other poultry farmers. Her journey demonstrates how women can enter agriculture at different stages of their lives and build businesses that contribute to their communities.