06 Jan 2019

Some Batswana have resorted to using indigenous items to better their lives.

Some of those who have taken the initiative are Ms Bonolo Monthe, Ms Motseoeme Taunyane and Mr Olayemi Aganga of Maungo Craft which was started in 2017.

The company makes jam from morula, motsentsela and mowana.

Ms Monthe said they took advantage of under-utilised indigenous fruits to make ends meet, adding that their aim was to let the world know more about Batswana’s culture through food as well as create jobs.

“We started the company using our own resources and have since created two employment opportunities, albeit on temporary basis,” she stated.

She highlighted that they secured markets at Avani, Square Mart, Culture Art Café, who use their Maramera Jam to marinate meat.

They were hoping to spread their wings since more people had since shown interest including those from across the border.

Ms Monthe said, “we sell top notch products with low sugar and distinct flavours,” adding that they marketed their produce through expos, social media and trade fairs.

Ms Monthe said one their challenges included being compelled to buy bottles from South Africa because there were no Botswana suppliers.

The other challenge, she said, was exportation of products, saying it was expensive since they needed to find the right distributors, retailers and other inputs.

She said for the business to grow, they should be able to own a facility and employ people.
Ms Monthe said Maungo Craft had bagged several awards that included Food Processing Sector at Youth Business Expo and subsequently represented the country in Copenhagen in 2017.

The company also won the agricultural products manufacturer of the year 2017 and in March 2018, they participated at the world marmalade awards under the Commonwealth category in Cumbria, United Kingdom, where it was shortlisted in the top seven and were awarded gold.

It also became the first company to represent Botswana at the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York, which is the largest food event in North America and showcases innovation.

It was also selected as one of the four regional winners from the FemBioBiz Acceleration Programme season two competitions, which took place in Finland in November last year.

“We were awarded two gold exhibitor awards last year at the Global Expo being Botswana Pride Award and the BoFINET SMME Innovation Award,” she said. Ends