Africa-Press – Eswatini. Andile Maziya, a young woman from Mahlanya,faced a harsh reality when she missed out on a scholarship to begin her tertiary studies in 2024. Refusing to let this setback define her future, Andile turned to entrepreneurship, buying and selling chickens to raise the funds she needs to enrol in August 2025. Guided by her faith and supported by her family, she is building a poultry business from the ground up, demonstrating that with determination and hope, obstacles can be transformed into opportunities.
Andile’s journey began with a hopeful acceptance into tertiary education in 2024. But when she failed to secure a scholarship, she found herself at home for the year, struggling with disappointment and uncertainty. “It was very difficult to stay at home for the whole year and not know what the future held,” Andile says. “I felt depressed, but I knew I had to find a way to raise money for my school fees.”
Determined to create her own opportunities, Andile looked for a business idea that was both practical and unique in her community. Drawing from her upbringing at her grandmother’s farm in Spiki, where she learned about poultry farming, she decided to start selling layers — chickens for meat.
Andile stocks chickens once a week, buying between 20 and 40 birds from Eagles Nest in Malkerns, depending on customer demand. She sells each chicken for E100, including the insides. “Dressing the chickens is hard work, especially when I don’t have enough help,” she admits. “But I keep pushing because I know what I’m working towards.”
This poultry hustle has brought more than just income it has given her purpose and a renewed sense of hope. “It’s changed my life because I no longer sit around feeling hopeless. I’m able to help out at home and support my grandmother too.”
She relies heavily on social media to reach customers. “I post on WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. My family supports me a lot, especially when I feel like giving up. My friends on Facebook share my posts, which helps me find more customers.”
Faith is a cornerstone of Andile’s journey. “I pray about everything, especially the business. I also have a friend who gives me great advice when things get tough,” she shares.
Looking forward, Andile dreams of building a proper poultry house that focuses on the welfare of her chickens and the sustainability of her business. “My immediate goal is to raise enough money to start my diploma in August 2025,” she says. “After that, I plan to expand the business.”
Andile’s story is not just about business, it is about resilience and hope. Her advice to young people facing similar struggles is simple: “I started with no customers, no sales, and no support. You can start too, even if it’s small. Just believe in yourself and be consistent.”
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