Argent locals aim to go big on poultry

Thabo Radebe and Tumelo Masalesa are among 10 members of the Argent Poultry Farming Cooperative

A local cooperative made up of 10 community members from Argent, in Delmas, Mpumalanga, hopes to create job opportunities through a poultry project supported by Canyon Coal.  The company has invested in the building of a structure that will accommodate an estimated 4500 chickens. One of the project beneficiaries, Thabo Radebe, says they are excited about the future growth of the venture.

“I would like to thank Canyon Coal for what they are doing here. I hope we will be able to develop this project as the community of Argent, so that it can be sustainable,” says Thabo. The company will also provide a start of chicks, feed, and other resources to get the project up and running. By May 2026, the structure was left with a few finishing touches like windows, flooring, roofing, and plastering.  The area had also been fenced.

“We chose these businesses because chicken has a high consumption rate, and it has a huge market,” Thabo remarks. For now, the cooperative is looking to supply local butcheries, but the aim is to have their own abattoir, under the Argent Poultry Farming brand.