15 Aug 2017

Identifying target market and essentially reaching that particular market has proved prerequisite to the success of any business. 

Sleek Foods, a brainchild of Ms Nkata Seleka has lent credence to this observation.

Ms Seleka speaks of demanding, sweaty and persistent business deliberations that lasted just about two years of which finally the end result is a lucrative deal to supply the international fast food chain store, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) with a locally produced chakalaka.

Sleek Foods has sealed a deal to supply 12 KFC stores in Botswana with chakalaka relish at a capacity of 6 000kg per month and  400kg per day.

“Sleek foods chakalaka will be served with the fast selling KFC streetwise two so I expect it to move off the shelve really fast. I’m also well equipped to produce according to the demand and even more,” Ms Seleka said.

 On second attempt, after completing and passing a stringent Yum Brands food safety standards and fulfilling all the relevant requirements, Sleek Foods (PTY) Ltd is listed as the only small-medium accredited supplier of chakalaka for Yum Brands.

As the only small-medium accredited supplier appearing on the KFC suppliers’ data base accessible to all other Yum Brands stores such as Pizza Heart and Tacobell, Sleek Foods is now exposed to the world.

“The journey to reach this milestone was not a bed of roses. It took a lot of hard work, willpower, sacrifice, perseverance, relentlessness and above all, passion. 

I’m a qualified information technician but after practicing for 25 years, I took a deliberate decision to follow my cooking passion which is inspired greatly by my interest for fine foods, tasty and of good quality” Ms Seleka highlighted.

General manager of KFC Mr Gaamangwe Maruatona explained that indeed qualifying as an accredited supplier for Yum Brands does not come easy. He indicated that the applicants undergo several audits and must attain a pass mark of not less than 85 per cent.

“All these long processes are done to protect our customers, ensure good quality and safeguard the brand,” Mr Maruatona said briefly as he congratulated Sleek Foods on their achievement. 

 “This is a total game changer for me because all that I need to do is to market my product to the world. But I intend to take it step by step. After Botswana, my aim is to penetrate the SADC region and I will take it further accordingly. 

Particularly the SADC region because I presume that we have the same palate,” Ms Seleka briefly shared her plans for the future.

Ms Seleka further revealed that the business that was self-funded and started in the backyard back in the 90’s, eventually got a P1.4 million loan from CEDA to buy required machinery and capacitate itself.

As it is the ultimate point, Sleek Foods like other businesses seeks to reduce the reigning plight of unemployment hence it has 12 part-time employees and nine who work on permanent basis.

Sleek Foods operates from Local Enterprising Authority (LEA) incubators in Pilane. 

Ms Seleka also advanced that they produce a range of sleek food relishes which have made it to the shelves of big supermarkets such as Choppies, Spar, Sefalana and Pick n Pay.

Ms Seleka encouraged other aspiring entrepreneurs to be patient, committed, confident and not be scared of rejection .

She noted that every business has challenges with marketing and funding at the top of the list but she maintained that perseverance and hard work pays. ENDS