Swazi Observer

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PICK â€˜N PAY, SPAR OPEN BIG DOORS FOR KABHUDLA OYSTER MUSHROOM FARMER

By Hlengiwe Ndlovu | 2018-07-26

AFTER completing his studies at Manzini Nazarene High School, Mncedzisi Mabuza from KaBhudla in Manzini realised a huge gap in the vegetable production industry, that of supplying oyster mushrooms to retailers and hotels.

Luckily for Mabuza, by the time he realised this gap, the entrepreneurial spirit was already deeply ingrained in his mindset as he was part of the Junior Achievement (JA) programme back in high school.

Even though he did not have capital to start his own business, this did not deter the 24-year-old young man from taking the bold step of starting this business, albeit on a low key note as he did not have equipment and proper production structures.

As time went on, he approached former school mate Simphiwe Mathobela to invest in the oyster mushroom production enterprise.

Luckily for Mabuza, Mathobela strongly believed in this idea and made an investment into this business.

“I approached Mathobela my friend because I was confident he would believe in my dream. Back in high school, all we ever talked about was business,” said Mabuza in an interview.

That was the beginning of the oyster mushroom enterprise as Mathobela and Mabuza rolled up their sleeves and began to commercially produce this product at Mabuza’s home in KaBhudla.

At present, the oyster production venture supplies reputable retailers such as Riverstone, Hub and Mahhala Pick n’ Pay stores as well as Mahhala and Corner Plaza Spar shops.

In the hospitality industry, the young men clinched a deal with Esibayeni Lodge.

Having established the business in 2015, Mabuza confessed that at some stage they could not cope with market demand as there were just too many orders.

It was then that they approached JA to help them secure an investor who would help inject more capital into the business for expansion purposes which would help them cope with the demand.

JA swiftly responded to the young men’s plea for assistance and helped facilitate a deal with a company known as Swazi Ventures which injected E60 000 to this business.

Mabuza explained that this investment was used to construct an incubation and growing room, critical structures in mushroom production which also helped the young men to produce larger quantities of mushrooms.

The business is currently being run on a piece of land which was provided by Mabuza’s father.

Mabuza explained that they had also received great technical assistance from the Malkerns Research Station, a division under the ministry of agriculture.

“As a farmer, I approached the Malkerns Research Station for assistance time and again and they happily gave me all the assistance I needed,” said Mabuza.

The business currently has a single 8 by 5 metres incubation room and growing room which is modeled like a greenhouse.

As they conducted their business, Mathobela and Mabuza realised yet another gap.

This time, it was not a market gap but the need for a marketing person who would help sell their products to different clients.

The two young men looked no further as they roped in yet another former school mate, Sebenele Mkhaliphi who is now the third business partner. Mabuza confessed that his passion does not necessarily lie in farming but he loves being an entrepreneur.

“Oyster mushroom production happened to be the first business idea that came into my mind after completing my high school. My real passion lies in buying and selling goods and making a difference in my life and helping those around me,” he said in an interview yesterday.

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