By Seleoe Nonyane
‘Mabaphuthi ‘Nono from Ha Folene Sehlabeng sa Matsieng has found a way of making food fashionable – she produces healthy and tasty rolled oats and sunflower seeds spread.
In an interview with theReporter this week, ‘Nono said her mission is to help people make healthier choices and to break the stereotype opinions about healthy food.
She said there is a belief that healthy foods are less tasty, boring and only to be eaten for the sole purpose of health benefits. But with her products, the 31-year old aims to encourage people to choose sunflower spread over other spreads, not only because it is a healthier choice, but because they are nicer than the other sugar/fat laden products.
“My products help Basotho to be more health conscious. They also reduce and manage chronic diseases.
“The healthier we get as a nation the more we save on healthcare costs. That money could be used to better our livelihood as a nation,” ‘Nono said.
The young entrepreneur also has a shop called Petrichor Massages where she does deep tissues massages.
She cautioned that Basotho to know that muscle tension due to stress and overwork has to be broken with a deep massage and not with pain killers.
‘Nono also noted that she is focusing on nutrition by bringing to the market super grains called rolled oats. The oats grain in its natural form is high in fiber and protein while the sunflower spread is high in Omega 6 fatty acids.
She said the least price for sunflower seeds spread is M25 and the rolled oats range from M50 to M450. It can go up to M1100 for those buying in bulk.
Her massage services range from M500 to M850 per session. Clients can also pay a monthly subscription of M1500.
‘Nono recalled that she started producing these products in 2017 but was still operating outside the country then.
“I established the company in September 2022 and that is when I first introduced these products here in Lesotho,” she explained.
‘Nono said underwent training in alternative medicine at Be Free Lifestyle at Bethel College in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.
“The training was all about how to let one’s body heal itself as it is capable of doing so if allowed to.
“What we know as chronic disease in alternative medicine is known as lifestyle disease. They are some diseases that people acquire as a result of the kind of lifestyle they lead. If such people were to change their lifestyles they would find that their so called chronic diseases get better.”
‘Nono is also passionate about cooking.
She revealed that when she came back home from her training in the Eastern Cape, one of the first things she went into was food production.
“As soon as I got home I negotiated with the owner of a health shop in town and supplied them with lunch,” she recalled.
‘Nono outsources her ingredients or buys locally where possible. With sunflower seeds, it is easy to find from local farmers.
Dried fruits are also readily available.
However, for massages she has to import all the oils that she uses.
“Due to the astronomical rentals prices in town, as a newly incorporated business I am still operating from home,” ‘Nono said.
‘Nono who can found at Ha Tšosane corner 1 said she is able to deliver in town or places that are close to her.
Oats and muesli are available at Mohlaka House Room 6
