Daily Maverick
Dailymaverick logo

Opinionistas

This is an opinion piece. The views expressed are not that of Daily Maverick.....

From cabbages to sunflower oil — the inspiring journey of a township entrepreneur

Bulelani Balabala
By Bulelani Balabala
31 Oct 2024
Facebook
0
Meet Calab Baloyi, a young entrepreneur from Sebokeng in Gauteng who is transforming both local agriculture and his own community through innovation and sheer determination.

The evolution of the township and the various sectors that have emerged over the years proves that you can’t sideline its economy any longer. We’ve moved well beyond the outdated view that the only businesses you’ll find in the township are salons, spaza shops, and shebeens. 

Recently, I had the chance to meet Calab Baloyi, a young entrepreneur from Sebokeng in Gauteng, who is transforming both local agriculture and his own community through innovation and sheer determination. The founder of Nosso-Sunflower Oil, a company that not only produces high-quality sunflower oil in various sizes, he also creates additional value by selling sunflower oil cake as feed for poultry and piggery farmers. His journey is a powerful example of how township entrepreneurs can redefine local economies through sustainable, community-centred farming practices.

Hard work, resilience and a strong sense of community


Baloyi’s story begins in Gauteng’s Orange Farm, raised by a single mother who instilled in him values of hard work, resilience, and a strong sense of community. Despite limited resources, he excelled academically, eventually studying accounting at university. Life threw him a curveball when his mother fell ill, forcing him to leave university and seek formal employment. He managed to find a job, but the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted his professional ambitions, prompting him to look for alternative ways to put food on the table. Watching his mother tend to her small cabbage patch during lockdown, he realised he didn’t have to look far for opportunities. 

Farming was right there, on his doorstep. With minimal resources, he decided to learn from his mother and take on agriculture as a way to make a living. This was the beginning of his journey as a farmer, learning from the ground up. Though the journey had its bumps, his resilience kept him going. Securing 1,500 square metres of land from a local church to scale his operations was the next step. 

This path led to the establishment of his first formal business, focused on growing and selling spinach and cabbage to local street vendors. As demand grew, he eventually partnered with a local Boxer supermarket to supply them it produce. But as demand continued to rise, Baloyi faced a significant challenge: he needed more land to expand, as scaling up was essential for him to meet demand and increase profitability. Instead of giving up, he found an alternative product within the farming value chain. 

Knowing when to pivot 


Inspired by a session he attended on sunflower production, he decided to add this to his business. In 2022, he founded Nosso-Sunflower Oil, with “Nosso” meaning “ours” in Latin, a symbol of pride and ownership, representing a township product for township people.

Baloyi’s pivot to sunflower oil production was a game-changer for his business. His approach to organic farming attracted attention and respect, demonstrating that sustainability and local entrepreneurship can go hand in hand. It’s almost unheard of for someone to establish themselves in agro-processing, let alone manufacture their own sunflower oil in a township. His story is an inspiration for young entrepreneurs who may now see agro-processing as a viable career path.

 His hard work hasn’t gone unnoticed. Baloyi has received numerous awards and much recognition, including the South African Agricultural Awards, Best Agro-Processor of the Year 2024, and the highly coveted Township Entrepreneurs Alliance (TEA) Kasi Pitching Challenge, when he won R50,000 in a mix of cash and business support.

These awards aren’t just trophies on a shelf; they provide essential funding to help him expand. For instance, the TEA Pitching Challenge prize will fund a larger oil filtration machine, a critical step in scaling up his operations.

Baloyi isn’t a superhero; he’s a township resident showing that real change is possible through grit, vision, and a commitment to his community. His journey from a small cabbage patch to an emerging sunflower oil agro-processing business is a story of hope, resilience, and the power of township entrepreneurs to make a lasting impact.

When we talk about building meaningful connections between corporate South Africa and township entrepreneurs, Baloyi’s story of resilience, commitment, and dedication stands as a perfect example. We don’t have a shortage of young entrepreneurs with skin in the game who’ve started from scratch with nothing but their own drive. 

What we lack is meaningful support, market access, and business development for these entrepreneurs to help them grow their sales. So, if you’re a corporate professional in a position to drive support, know that the township economy is being disrupted by these innovators and creators who are building new industries and sectors right in the heart of our communities. DM

Categories:

Tags: