On 23 February 2026, the KZN Poultry Institute (KZNPI), accompanied by Ms Frances Chisholm, a previous Consul General and friend and of KZNPI, travelled to the scenic town of Umzimkhulu. The purpose of the visit was to reconnect with one of our past delegates, Mr Zilungisele Jozana, and to see first-hand the progress he has made since attending training with the institute.
Mr Jozana attended an abattoir training course at KZNPI in November 2020. Since completing the course, he has established his own small-scale poultry abattoir with the capacity to process 50 birds per day. His initiative has been supported through funding from the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and his local municipality. This support enabled him to repair and upgrade an existing structure on his property and purchase the necessary processing equipment from Rotamaster.
Mr Jozana shared that he found the training he received at KZNPI incredibly useful, particularly when he was setting up his facility. He still regularly refers back to the training manual for guidance and best practices. The knowledge and practical skills gained during the course played an important role in helping him establish and operate his abattoir successfully.
Not only do community members bring their birds to him for slaughtering services, he also purchases birds directly from local suppliers. These birds are processed, portioned, and supplied to small take-away eateries in the area, creating an additional income stream.
His business has also created employment opportunities within the community. Mr Jozana employs five local women who assist with the day-to-day operations of the abattoir, contributing to both skills development and household income within the area.
Mr Jozana strongly believes in making full use of every bird processed. As he explains, “there is no waste in a chicken.” He has successfully developed markets for all parts of the bird, ensuring that nothing goes to waste. He also actively markets both his poultry products and abattoir services through social media platforms.
Although the abattoir is fully operational, there are still a few challenges that require attention. One of the most significant obstacles Mr Jozana has faced is the reliability of electricity in the area.
Another ongoing challenge is sourcing birds from the community in good condition. Birds are sometimes mishandled before they arrive at the abattoir, which can result in bruising that only becomes visible once the birds have been de-feathered during processing. This negatively affects both the quality and the appearance of the final product.
To address this challenge and ensure a more consistent supply of quality birds, Mr Jozana plans to establish his own broiler farming operation capable of housing up to 2,000 birds. This will allow him greater control over bird management and handling, while also expanding his production capacity.
His advice to anyone wanting to get started is to contact your local municipality to get the approval process started.
KZNPI is incredibly proud of what Mr Jozana has achieved since attending the training course. His dedication and innovation are inspiring examples of what can be accomplished through knowledge, hard work, and perseverance. It is always a pleasure for the KZNPI team to visit past delegates and witness their growth and success stories.
If you are a past delegate of KZNPI, we would love to hear from you. Please feel free to send us an email or a WhatsApp message along with some photos and a short video showcasing what you have been doing since attending our courses. You might just be featured as our next success story.
