By Mickie Langwenya
MBABANE – Residents of Mphumakudze constituency in the Lubombo region are working towards becoming leaders in piggery business in the region.
Having purchased their first stock last year December, Sibuko seMphumakudze Piggery has made its name known by producing fresh and tender pork.
In fact, it is a small-scale business that is a 100% Swati owned company which currently has 21 shareholders 14 of them being females and seven males.
Eswatini Positive News has gathered that each member contributed a joining fee of E100 to become a shareholder of the company.
Interviewed by this publication, Bongani Mathabela, the Chairman of the company, said the company that was officially registered in 2015 through the assistance of Eswatini Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise (ESWADE). The funding came from Nedbank, who loaned the company E1 060 000.
Mathabela disclosed that the money was used to purchase their first stock of 33 pigs that were imported from South Africa, and the money also covered food costs, import taxes then payment of salaries for two beneficiaries.
Mathabela stated that ESWADE also helped the company with the construction of the Piggery structure together with the purchasing of equipment that is used within the company and fencing.
Mathabela further revealed that since the company started operating it has provided employment to two community members who are beneficiaries of the company as their source of income.
Thuli Mabuza, a widow from Mphumakudze who is also a shareholder, said Sibuko seMphandzeni might be a new company that has so far not sold any produce, but she is certain that her family of eight will benefit immensely.
She said the family is also targeting to expand their business whereby they at aiming at venturing even into fishing, cultivation of vegetables which will end up benefiting a huge chunk of the community members through the creation of job opportunities.
