From the Field

Since her amazing year pioneering as a World Poultry Foundation-funded intern at Iowa Cage Free, Nothando “Thando” Sibiya’s professional trajectory has definitely been “sky’s-the-limit.”   Back in South Africa, in just over two years she progressed from one manager position to another and also squeezed a brief entrepreneurial stint in between.

Recently Thando’s career took a turn in a different direction in the poultry industry.

Musing aloud, she says, “I’ll always be a farmer at heart,” and she still dreams of one day owning her own poultry farm.  But the young poultry farmer felt she had reached her professional limit at the managerial pinnacle of the family-owned farm where she worked.  “It wasn’t enough for me anymore.” Seeking new challenges, she jumped at the opportunity to join the corporate world and is now a Technical Sales Advisor at Quantum Foods, a publicly traded diversified feed and poultry business in the South African and African markets.

“The company is big and growing fast; I’m learning so much,” she exclaims excitedly about her new position.  “I love working with the company veterinarians, visiting clients, analyzing production data and advising farmers on how to increase production and reduce mortality.  I solve new problems every day.”

The World Poultry Foundation star intern is also enjoying the radical change from farm life to a “9 to 5” job, juggling office time with farm visits.  The move from the countryside to the bustle of South Africa’s commercial capital, Johannesburg, – and the satisfaction and financial comfort of a generous benefits package – have been exhilarating, too, she exclaims.

“I’d like to settle with this company,” says Thando without hesitation, “it offers so many opportunities.”

It’s a joy to keep up with your poultry career, Thando.  Good luck in the exciting new position.  We wish you every success!