Peanut butter entrepreneur fights for survival with help from Ballito resident

A thriving peanut butter business in aid of orphans and vulnerable children almost sank under the pressure of jealous neighbours looking to take a slice of the pie.

Thankfully a guardian angel in the form of Ballito resident Heather Piper came alongside the non-profit before all was lost.

Founder of non-profit organisation Izwi Lothando, Phila Zulu has faced numerous difficulties in his quest to help poor children and youth in KwaDukuza.

Despite almost giving up, he is again working with renewed hope and the future looks bright.

One of the first major challenges he faced was a lack of funding for his organisation that he started in 2013.

In response he started Phila Zulu Trading in 2021, which produces peanut butter and a clothing line to help generate an income for the non-profit.

It was not smooth sailing though, and he recently faced serious disruption from Shakaville residents who demanded employment opportunities from him.

“We were producing peanut butter, working with orphaned school pupils and paying their school fees or supporting them at university. We also sourced peanuts from local farmers.

After an article in the Courier, we attracted mainstream media attention and secured sponsorship for bigger machines. But that’s when the problems began. People thought we were making a lot of money,” said Zulu.

He even had to sleep at his operations centre to guard the machines from theft or vandalism, fearing that the project would be targeted.

But his fortunes turned when he met Piper, who encouraged him to explore alternative ways to keep the business running.

Together with Piper, he is now preparing to open a factory in Hluhluwe, producing peanut butter and macadamia smoothies using locally sourced ingredients.

They will work with local women who farm and do beekeeping to supply the factory.

Zulu has also secured a ten-year lease from Qwabe Enkanini Farm in KwaDukuza, where he plans to expand his peanut butter business and cultivate macadamia trees.

Despite facing these challenges, Zulu remains committed to helping youth in need and is grateful for the support he has received.

“All the progress we are making would not be happening if I did not meet my sister Piper. If she didn’t come through, I think the project would have collapsed by now,” he said.

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