By Charlotte Lekgothoane
Have you ever imagined a drinking yoghurt or blended juice made of sweet potatoes and wondered how it tastes like?
Guess what…Kgarose Edward Molatela (34), is on a mission to stimulate your taste bites with what he describes as a sweet taste of healthy snack. Kgarose, an entrepreneur who rises from the dusty village of Ga Molepo, Ga Lekgothoane just outside Polokwane, is the mastermind behind the sweetened multi-flavoured Kgarose Potato Yogurt made from the blend of cream and blesbok sweet potato. His Yogurt business put food on the table for 20 employees while he broadens farming opportunities for more than 50 local sweet potato farmers.
When transformed into yoghurt, sweet potatoes not only provide a delicious alternative to traditional dairy products but also create exciting business opportunities.
Kgarose and his team rose to fame through their recognition as the winners of Department of Agriculture National Award in the category of small-scale agro-processing, Shoprite Entrepreneur of the Month, SABC 1 Making Moves Season 8, as well as this year’s Sunday World Unsung Hero Award among other achievements.
The Rise of Sweet Potato Yoghurt business
Sweet potatoes are rich in nutrients, providing essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Their naturally sweet flavour makes them an excellent base for creating creamy, nutritious yoghurt. According to Kgarose, his product is carbohydrate-rich, contains a good amount of fibre, and provides a multitude of other nutrients necessary for our body’s daily requirements to achieve good health.
He told Limpopo Insider that a sweet potato, which is a vegetable that was once his favourite since childhood, is now a successful business idea that will mitigate the sky-rocketing and shocking trend of unemployment in South Africa.
“The underutilization of sweet potatoes, combined with their unique qualities, softness, and sweetness, ultimately sparked this idea, prompting me to explore the concepts that had taken shape in my mind, and thus everything began,” said Kgarose.
With the product being only available in few retail stores in Polokwane, the businessman Kgarose is hopeful that one day he will hit the market with a range of his products available in majority of renowned retail stores across the country and abroad. He believes this will be possible through the support he attains from government and private sector.
“Since the inception of our project, the government has provided continuous backing, including financial support for laboratory analysis, exhibition costs, and the establishment of a state-of-the-art facility. This collaboration has shown me that the government fosters partnerships with individuals who embody patience, self-reliance, and dedication to their goals,” he added.
Economic Development Through Job Creation
A sweet potato yoghurt business has the potential to create numerous job opportunities. From harvesting sweet potatoes to production, packaging, and distribution, each stage of the process requires a diverse workforce. These jobs can be particularly beneficial in rural areas, where employment opportunities may be limited.
Kgarose calls for community members to support his business in order to reach greatest heights that will enable him to grow the local economy and foster job creation.
“To sustain our business, we need the continued support of our customers through purchasing our products, enabling us to create more job opportunities and partner with additional farmers through off-take agreements,” he said.
The sky seems to be the limit in the sweet potato business as Kgarose have sweet potato instant porridge that he is working on in Partnership with Agricultural Research Council. He said that he also has sweet potato skin care that he is also working on in Partnership with Green biotechnologist research centre at the University of Limpopo.
A Sweet Future Ahead
From Kgarose’s point of view, the sweet potato yoghurt presents an exciting opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to make a difference. By embracing this innovative approach, his business will contribute to economic development and job creation while offering a delicious, healthy product that meets the needs of today’s consumers.
His message to the unemployed youth who uphold passion in the similar business model is that they must exercise patience and self-confidence as they play a major role in achieving success throughout the business journey.
“Creating your own job is the most fulfilling experience; although you may not achieve perfection immediately, you will acquire knowledge and skills as you progress. Commence with the resources at your disposal and the rest will follow naturally,” he highlighted.
In Polokwane, Kgarose Potato Yogurt products will soon be purchased at the United Meat and Chicken, Uchoice and Spar City Center.
Kgarose said that the yogurt will only be accessible starting in August, as his company is presently engaged in finalising some of the orders, however, their dairy-blend juices are available for sale for only R20.