Communities living around the iSimangaliso Wetland Park World Heritage Site in northern KwaZulu-Natal continue to face mounting pressures from climate change and persistent food insecurity. Many households depend directly on natural resources for food and income. As climate patterns shift and ecosystems experience increasing stress, local residents are turning to innovative solutions that strengthen livelihoods while protecting the environment.
Development practitioners say the region’s rural landscape and deep socio-economic inequality increase the vulnerability of communities. However, climate-resilient and ecosystem-based approaches are now helping households adapt while safeguarding fragile ecosystems.
“These intersecting challenges make climate-resilient and ecosystem-based solutions essential for strengthening livelihoods and long-term community resilience,” explained Nozi Mthembu from the conservation organisation WILDTRUST.
Through programmes implemented by WILDTRUST in partnership with Indalo Inclusive, several women entrepreneurs have begun building climate-smart businesses designed to improve food production and environmental sustainability.
Among the emerging entrepreneurs is 21-year-old Nokuthula Msweli, founder of Thule’s Poultry Farm in the rural community of KwaDapha. She launched the enterprise after recognising both the shortage of affordable protein and the need to create economic independence for herself and her family.
Her poultry venture follows an Ecosystem-based Adaptation model introduced through the iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area project. Instead of relying entirely on costly commercial feed, Msweli cultivates worms to create an organic protein source for her broiler chickens.
“Commercial poultry feed is one of the biggest expenses in broiler production,” she said. “When I produce my own worm-based protein source, I reduce operating costs and make the farm more sustainable.”
The approach lowers production expenses while reducing the environmental footprint of the business. Locally available natural resources now replace expensive industrial inputs, creating a more resilient farming model.
Other women in the programme are also designing creative solutions that address economic and environmental challenges simultaneously.
Entrepreneur Nosihle Ngubane operates an egg sourcing, packaging and delivery business that connects poultry farmers with retailers and wholesalers. Before joining the programme, she struggled with financial planning, business registration and stable market access.
Although demand for eggs existed, building long-term partnerships with buyers required structured mentorship and strategic support.
“While demand was there, developing reliable relationships with retailers and wholesalers and expanding the business sustainably required guidance,” Ngubane explained.
Another entrepreneur, Thobile Shange, runs Liyana Layer Farm and focuses on egg production. Rising feed costs previously threatened the profitability of her business. However, her academic background in agriculture pushed her to explore alternative feed options.
Eventually, she identified invasive aquatic plants as a cost-effective poultry feed solution.
“High feed costs were one of the biggest challenges affecting egg production,” Shange said. “Using invasive aquatic plants lowers costs while helping to solve an environmental problem.”
Invasive plants frequently disrupt aquatic ecosystems, reduce water quality and threaten biodiversity. By repurposing them as poultry feed, Shange’s farm contributes to environmental restoration while improving the sustainability of her enterprise.
To strengthen these emerging businesses, WILDTRUST and Indalo Inclusive introduced the Indalovator and Indalogrow programmes. These initiatives provide mentorship, enterprise development training and technical coaching for small businesses.
The programmes help entrepreneurs refine business strategies, improve financial planning and develop the operational skills needed to run climate-resilient enterprises.
“Through tailored coaching and ecosystem-based adaptation guidance, entrepreneurs moved from informal start-up phases into structured and market-ready operations,” Mthembu said.
Mentorship and leadership development also play a key role in building confidence among participants. Many women entrepreneurs initially faced uncertainty when navigating business decisions and daily operational challenges.
“Mentorship offered practical guidance for managing operations and making informed decisions,” Mthembu added. “Leadership training strengthened their confidence and positioned them as role models within their communities.”
Financial management support further allows participants to control costs and plan for long-term growth. Together, these interventions help entrepreneurs transition from unstable livelihoods toward greater independence and resilience.
Women’s economic empowerment sits at the centre of the programme’s climate adaptation strategy for coastal communities.
“Women often stand at the heart of household food security, community livelihoods and natural resource management,” Mthembu noted. “When women-led enterprises grow, local adaptive capacity increases while environmental resources are used more sustainably.”
The initiative extends beyond agriculture and also supports coastal livelihoods.
Jane Mthembu, a widow raising five children, recently joined the renewed Small-Scale Fishers initiative as a Small-Scale Fisher Monitor. After years of unstable employment, the programme now offers financial stability and a renewed sense of purpose.
“The opportunity has brought security to my household and hope for the future,” she said.
Her role also supports responsible fishing practices and strengthens communication between fishers and authorities, helping protect coastal ecosystems.
Programme leaders believe the long-term success of women-led climate-smart enterprises will depend on continued investment in advanced business mentorship, market access and climate-smart technologies.
“Strengthening networks between entrepreneurs, buyers and development partners will be essential,” Mthembu said. “These connections ensure businesses can scale sustainably while maintaining their social and environmental impact.”
Across communities surrounding iSimangaliso Wetland Park, women entrepreneurs are proving that climate adaptation, food security and environmental protection can advance together. Their businesses are not only improving household incomes but also shaping a more resilient future for rural communities facing the realities of climate change.
