{
  "id": 12808243,
  "title": "KZN entrepreneur turns invasive vegetation into charcoal and rural jobs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/kzn-entrepreneur-turns-invasive-vegetation-into-charcoal-and-rural",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-08T06:25:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/mercury/news/2026-10-08-kzn-entrepreneur-turns-invasive-vegetation-into-charcoal-and-rural-jobs/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mxolisi Mhlongo, a 36-year-old entrepreneur from KwaZulu-Natal, has transformed invasive alien vegetation into charcoal while simultaneously generating rural employment opportunities. Mhlongo, who previously worked as a journalist, founded the KwaZulu-Natal green enterprise Euphrosyne, and was recently named a finalist in the Emerging Business Entrepreneur of the Year category at the 2026 Business Partners Limited Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. Euphrosyne clears approximately 60 hectares of invasive vegetation monthly and turns it into about 40 tons of charcoal, employing nine permanent staff and four temporary workers. The company collaborates with smaller rural producers, gaining a competitive edge by utilizing invasive alien vegetation as raw material for charcoal production. Mhlongo chose this approach after realizing the environmental strain caused by charcoal production on indigenous forests in water-scarce uMkhanyakude. He developed a model that addresses land clearing, charcoal production, and community engagement, providing a viable alternative to cutting indigenous trees while creating jobs. Euphrosyne initially operated at Coastal Cashews farm but had to relocate due to local political tensions and lost contracts. The company faced challenges, including a truckload loss in July 2021, which delayed operations for four months and led to unpaid wages. Despite these setbacks, Mhlongo persevered, eventually partnering with E&C Charcoal, which bolstered market stability and allowed the company to expand its reach, assisting other rural charcoal producers with technical guidance, quality-control support, and buyer access.",
  "summary": "After years of job losses and business setbacks, Mxolisi Mhlongo has built a KwaZulu-Natal enterprise that clears invasive vegetation, produces charcoal and supports rural producers.",
  "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."
}