This story is one in a series from Frances Chisholm highlighting stories of lives impacted by World Poultry Foundation programs and workshops both in the U.S. and abroad. We encourage you to learn more about Ms. Chisholm and our poultry projects in South Africa.
“A once in a lifetime experience.”
That’s how Errol Mathevula described the poultry internship he was about to commence. Errol grew up in Limpopo province. First in his family to graduate from university, he earned a B.Tech. degree in Animal Production. He also did dairy research at South Africa’s Agricultural Research Council. But it was a positive experience at Bartlet Poultry Farm that sealed his decision to make a career of poultry.
As a World Poultry Foundation funded Future Farmer, Errol interned far from home at the foot of the Drakensberg mountains with majority black-owned NuDawn Eggs in Winterton, KwaZulu-Natal, under the tutelage of Managing Director and majority shareholder Seo Mtetwa. (Mr. Mtetwa is also President of WPF-partner the KwaZulu-Natal Poultry Institute.) With a flair for languages in a country that boasts 11 (!) official ones, Errol shifted from his native Xitsonga – not to mention his expert English – and became fluent in KZN’s dominant language, isiZulu. He got to know the local culture and quickly made a home for himself in the Land of the Zulu Kingdom.
At NuDawn Eggs Errol was exposed to conveyor belt movement of eggs, but he’s keen to see how it’s done in America. He also looks forward to learning about cage-free operations. Errol will be interning at a Rose Acres Farm in Frankfort, Indiana. He “can’t wait to start learning.” He’s also keen to take up basketball, which should make his stay in basketball-crazed Indiana plenty of fun.
As NuDawn Eggs expands production from its current 403,200 capacity, Errol would be thrilled to return to a managerial position at the company that nurtured his aspirations and prepared him for the American experience.
Like many other Future Farmer poultry interns, Errol dreams of opening his own egg business one day. He is on the right track, having exhibited leadership qualities every step of the way since secondary school.
The World Poultry Foundation wishes Errol good luck in the US and many more successes on his exciting journey!
Ms. Frances Chisholm
Friend & Supporter of the WPF
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