LOCAL WOMAN TURN VISION INTO THRIVING CHICKEN FARM

In Hopefield, Sherley Freeman and her childhood friend Sharlene Bodenheim have transformed their vision into reality with Kauthar’s Broiler Chickens, a successful free-range chicken farm dedicated to providing high-quality poultry. The idea, first introduced by Sherley four years ago, faced initial hurdles until the women secured funding from a government business development programme. This financial support enabled them to purchase their first batch of 1,300-day-old chicks, which they quickly expanded by an additional 1,300 just two weeks later.

Through CASP funding from the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Kauthar’s Broiler Chickens has benefitted from essential infrastructure, including cold room trailers for processing, a delivery vehicle, large chicken coops, water tanks, and feed storage facilities. This support has enabled Sherley and Sharlene to efficiently manage their expanding flocks, ensuring that they meet the demand for their wholesome chickens in specialty markets while creating full-time job opportunities for local residents.

Casidra is extremely proud of Kauthar’s Broiler Chickens. Their accomplishments were recently acknowledged at the Western Cape Department of Agriculture’s ceremony held on 13 August 2024, where Sharlene Bodenheim was awarded Best Smallholder Producer. This accolade marks a significant milestone for female farmers in the Western Cape and underscores the impact of their hard work and dedication.

With a strong commitment to community support, Kauthar’s Broiler Chickens also contributes to a local soup kitchen, providing meals for low-income families. “We are extremely grateful for the opportunities we’ve been given and always strive to give back whenever we can,” Sherley remarked. Looking ahead, the duo aims to expand their flock into a larger commercial enterprise. However, Sherley emphasises the challenges they experience on daily basis, “Workdays are long, labour-intensive and demanding, but if you love what you do, you keep pushing forward.” For now, they take pride in the thriving farm they have built.