The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has handed over a newly constructed peanut butter processing factory and a vehicle to Naturally Nutty Peanut Butter in Mnqobokazi, Hluhluwe, within the Big 5 Hlabisa Municipality. The items that are part of the handover are worth 1.5 million rand.

The handover formed part of the KwaZulu-Natal Premier-led Operation Sukuma Sakhe, on Wednesday 20 May 2026 targeting Big 5 Hlabisa Municipality facing service delivery challenges.

Naturally Nutty is owned by local entrepreneur Mr. Phila Zulu. The business works directly with women-led cooperatives with 60 members from Hluhluwe, uMfolozi and Manguzi who cultivate peanuts and supply produce to the factory for agro-processing. The resulting peanut butter is distributed to retailers across the province.

MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Thembeni kaMadlopha-Mthethwa, commended Mr. Zulu for initiating the project, saying that its recruitment of youth and women empowerment is impactful.

“I am happy that 60 women are benefiting by supplying their produce to the company,” said MEC kaMadlopha-Mthethwa. “The owner is also being assisted by young people who are part of the project. I am excited to see so many youth actively involved in agricultural activities.”

Zulu said this initiative aims create sustainable livelihoods, and strengthen the agricultural value chain in the region and would love to see his agribusiness in the near future supplying big retailers nationally.