By Mosa Matela
Ntṧekhe Tlaba and Anicia Shale have joined hands and founded ‘Boriba Foods’, a food processing, preservation and manufacturing enterprise that specialises in farm-to-table operations.
Tlaba and Shake both hold Bacherlor of Science in Nutrition degrees and have pooled all the knowledge from their studies into this business venture.
“At varsity, we both completed a course titled Food Production Development which heightened our passion for this industry and motivated us to look at things in a more commercial manner,” Tlaba said.
The operation was founded in 2020, and is named after the village of Boribeng in Leribe where the majority of the raw materials they use are grown.
Since then, Boriba Foods have mastered the nitty gritty details of the manufacturing of sauces, canned fruits and vegetables, processed food and more.
They share their knowledge with anyone who is interested, by hosting workshops, training and consultancy services to the public.
The company offers training for a variety of services, such as food preservation, processing and food production development.
They also offer workshop and consultancy services in food packaging, labelling and branding; as well as food safety, nutrition and healthy eating.
Their mission is to be an industry leading establishment that provides a wide range of organic and nutritious foods at affordable prices.
They strive to build brand recognition, increase their sales and continuously provide the nation with new goods and services.
However, shortage of raw fruits and vegetables from local farmers is a major challenge for them.
Regardless of that, they still continue to aim for progression and growth and improvement in all aspects of the business.
The two pride themselves in their simplicity, sustainability and product safety as they can maintain and honour these values without decreasing the quality of work and quality of goods produced.
They urge up-and-coming entrepreneurs to not dwell on what they don’t have and to take a leap of faith.
“It matters not what you have. Start where you are, with whatever resources you may have at your disposal.
“There is absolutely no shame in starting small,” Tlaba said.
Their sauces and preserved foods are currently available at MILCO, Sefika Complex. You may also contact them on 6209 6363, WhatsApp them on 56752008 or find them on Facebook – Boriba.
