Max Henrich ONGWEDIVA – A South African entrepreneur from Limpopo Province is seeking opportunities to expand her atchar business into Namibia while promoting the traditional condiment as a product that connects people with their cultural heritage. Atchar is a traditional South African condiment made from vegetables or fruits, with mango being one of the popular... The post SA entrepreneur eyes Namibian atchar market appeared first on New Era .
Max Henrich
ONGWEDIVA – A South African entrepreneur from Limpopo Province is seeking opportunities to expand her atchar business into Namibia while promoting the traditional condiment as a product that connects people with their cultural heritage.
Atchar is a traditional South African condiment made from vegetables or fruits, with mango being one of the popular ingredients.
It is typically prepared by preserving the produce with spices, oil and other ingredients, resulting in a tangy, spicy and flavourful side dish commonly served with meals.
Moufhe Ratshikombo, owner of Oumie’s Grande, said her business, established in August 2021, has grown to employ four permanent workers and 20 seasonal employees.
Ratshikombo said that access to markets remains one of the major challenges faced by small businesses and that expanding into Namibia could provide opportunities for her business to grow.
“I’m not just here in Namibia to sell my product but also looking forward to accessing the market so that I can access a lot of diversity when it comes to my product,” she said.
She described atchar as a traditional South African condiment, particularly the handmade variety, which she said many people grew up preparing with their grandparents.
“A lot of us have relocated to other parts of the world looking for greener pastures, so it always reminds us of home and our heritage,” Ratshikombo said.
She noted that many South Africans living in Namibia may miss familiar tastes from home, presenting an opportunity for her business to establish a presence in the local market.
Ratshikombo said that she is interested in collaborating with retailers such as Spar and Pick n Pay, as well as working with resellers who want to create an additional or primary source of income.
She said that the abundance of mangoes in Limpopo, many of which go to waste every season, motivated her to venture into agro-processing.
“I took an initiative of wanting to save them through agro-processing and turn them into a premium condiment, which is atchar,” she said. Looking ahead, Ratshikombo said she hopes to acquire her own farm where she can grow mangoes and ensure a consistent supply of premium-quality fruit.
She also expressed interest in collaborating with Namibian businesses to establish a processing plant, saying Namibia has mangoes that could be utilised for agro-processing. Ratshikombo encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to start with what they have instead of waiting for funding.
She said that entrepreneurs should first establish and execute their ideas, arguing that potential investors and partners are more likely to support businesses that have demonstrated their potential.
“The right people that will help you expand and growth will find you on your way,” she said.
The post SA entrepreneur eyes Namibian atchar market appeared first on New Era.
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