{
  "id": 12332607,
  "title": "Former journalist turns invasive vegetation into a KwaZulu-Natal charcoal business",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/former-journalist-turns-invasive-vegetation-into-a-kwazulu-natal",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-06T08:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/the-star/2026-10-06-former-journalist-turns-invasive-vegetation-into-a-kwazulu-natal-charcoal-business/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mxolisi Mhlongo, a 36-year-old former journalist, has transformed his experience with job losses and setbacks in the media industry into a successful charcoal business in KwaZulu-Natal. Mhlongo, the founder of Euphrosyne, an enterprise that clears invasive vegetation and converts it into charcoal, has been shortlisted for the Emerging Business Entrepreneur of the Year award. The company clears around 60 hectares of invasive vegetation monthly and produces approximately 40 tons of charcoal. Mhlongo, who previously worked at eNCA, Media24, Kwesé Sports, and Kaya FM, left the media industry due to repeated job losses and emotional toll. Euphrosyne began when Mhlongo explored supplying wood to a commercial buyer, but after discovering the buyer accepted charcoal, he shifted his focus to charcoal production. He aimed to address the pressure charcoal production placed on indigenous forests in uMkhanyakude by using invasive alien vegetation as feedstock. Euphrosyne employs nine permanent workers and four temporary staff, working with smaller rural producers. The company faced challenges, including loss of contracts and local group demands for minimum daily wages, but received a breakthrough with E&C Charcoal. Mhlongo's journalism background has helped him distill complex issues into clear narratives, build relationships, and navigate challenges. Euphrosyne's name honors Mhlongo's grandmother, a teacher and community builder. The company aims to expand into eco-briquettes, activated carbon, exports, and larger restoration projects while helping rural producers access buyers and formalize their businesses.",
  "summary": "KwaZulu-Natal entrepreneur Mxolisi Mhlongo’s Euphrosyne converts invasive vegetation into charcoal, supports rural producers and creates jobs. The company is a finalist in the 2026 Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}