By Neo Kolane
In a bid to educate people about the health benefits of syrup and consumption of fruits, a local entrepreneur has registered a company known as Fruit Extract (Pty) Ltd.
Speaking to theReporter, the founder of Fruit Extract, Bokang Matlosa said the mission of the company is to provide high quality, nitrified, and flavoured fruit-based products for consumption in and outside Lesotho
Thirty-two-year old Matlosa noted that people are forced to think of ways to make money, hence she decided to come back home and start a business after completing her studies in 2019.
“It was summertime and everyone seemed to be selling and buying drinks on the streets. People were seen selling ginger beer, and I thought I would produce ginger beer but a better version of it. That’s when I realized there are a number of people who are into ginger beer. I started to play around with other kinds of drinks, different types of fruits,” Matlosa explained.
She added that the syrup undergoes different stages to get to what it is right now, because what it is right now is a syrup and it is highly concentrated, and it needs to be diluted to be used.
Matlosa said since the establishment of the company, she has been receiving positive feedback from the people. When people heard it’s a product from Lesotho they become more proud of it.
However, Matlosa said that they want to change the packaging, because people mistake the bottle for alcohol and secondly when people see it, and say its syrup, it makes them ask what they need syrup for.
Matlosa realized that there is a need to educate the public about syrup, because it is hardly found in a technical home as she regards it as a luxury product.
The product, made from the comfort of Matlosa’s home kitchen, has a lot of applications; one can use it to make a beverage by diluting it, and it can also be used to add flavor to waffles, ice cream and yoghurt.
Our syrup is also used to make cocktails, which happen to be limited in the country. But where we come in is, we bring flavours that are not available on the shelves.
“Yoghurt manufactures can use our syrup in the production of yoghurts as well as ice creams and milkshakes,” she said.
Matlosa also stated that they are planning to partner with manufactures of such products, and she is currently working on implementing that in a week or so.
“I would also want people to know it is produced in Lesotho, fruits are sourced in Lesotho and that we plan to collaborate and work with local farmers who are in fruit productions.
“We want to contribute to the economy of the country. The business started last year March, at the height of the first nationwide lockdown. It was difficult but it gave me time to work on the actual product and perfect it and get it right.
“We started selling the product around May and June. I was supplying (local vintage café); after the lockdown I approached (local off-sales). That’s when it went on the shelf (around October and November). Sales were good during the festive season.
