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Langalakhe Mabena
Makhosi “Godinga” Mahlangu is a famous name among food aficionados in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe and beyond.
This is because he has managed to maintain himself as a foodie brand, a future of Traditional African Foods (TAFs), a renowned chef, a farmer and an academia.
The soft-spoken lad who holds numerous academic qualifications including a Master’s of Science in Food and Beverage Innovation and Management from the Universita Politecnica delle Marche in Ancona, Italy — is always open for innovation and sharing knowledge with willing people in the community.
His softer side of uplifting others and passion for women empowerment has afforded Mahlangu to come up with an enterprise called “The Lupane Veggie Guys.”
The enterprise is a collaboration between Mahlangu, Mgciniwethu Mazula and Mzingaye Tshabalala, as well as over 100 women from
Lupane who produce chilli (ibilenile) and they call themselves the “Chilli Community.”
The Chilli Community is from the Lupane district (Matabeleland North), and its ultimate aim is to help in the production of organic chilli sauces and associated condiments for both local and export markets, through providing natural chilli to the Lupane Veggie Guys.
The chilli is grown by the women for additional income and then sold to the Lupane Veggie Guys at premium market prices.
By doing so, the women get money from the sale of chilli and also from 10 percent dividends from the Lupane Veggie Guys.
Why collaborate with women from Lupane?
The project looked deeply into the weather conditions in Lupane which are conducive for chilli production and processing.
Besides that, local traditional leaders also agreed that the project would bring much-needed change to the district, as the produce (chilli) is distributed to European markets and the Middle East.
Mahlangu who is also a lecturer at Lupane State University, said collaborating with the Lupane Chilli community has become fruitful as the women provide them with 30kgs of chilli a week.
“When we thought of making our chilli products mainly the Lupane Veggie Guys chilli sauce Original Flavour, Ndiya Ndiya, Sweet Chilli and the Harissa, we looked at the chilli chain and poverty levels around Lupane.
“We also saw that women were doing a lot to improve their lives. We talked to MaNyathi from the Women’s Centre about our proposal.
She loved the idea and immediately she had volunteers for the project.
“Interestingly MaNyathi and the women now supply us with no less than 30kgs of chilli per week,” said Mahlangu.
The women recently had a boost from SeedCo.
“This year there are no rains courtesy of the El Nino global climate phenomenon which means we are likely to face drought. But, growing chilli is different because the plant is drought resistant. These are some of the initiatives we are pushing in our region to encourage people to plant drought resistant crops so they can gain something from them,” said Mahlangu.
Hildegard Nyathi (MaNyathi) who is a representative of the Lupane Chilli Community women said the initiative created massive employment and it has attracted income that will sustain their lives.
“This project has proven that women play important roles in the functioning of a healthy and food secure household. As Lupane women and farmers, we are happy to be producing chilli for these guys.
“There are currently 100 women involved in the initial phase of the project and this has provided employment in our community as many families are fed through the project’s income.
“Apart from farming chilli, we were taught to plant different herbs and spices which will help widen our specialisation in farming. These herbs and spices are used in the production of various condiments and sauces.
“We are happy to be contributing our products to the food market in the country and beyond,” said MaNyathi.
The Lupane community leadership also endorses the project. Chief Menyezwa, Meluleki Gumede, said: “The high levels of poverty in my communities need to be solved immediately. As a traditional chief, I need to be surrounded by a food secure community.
“The need to use local resources to empower our people is in line with the Government initiatives to alleviate poverty in our communities. We are aiming for a middle-class economy by 2030 and the chilli value chain could be a solution to our problems.
“We are grateful to the various stakeholders who will be involved in this groundbreaking initiative.”
Meanwhile, because of his innovations and helping the community in various forms, Makhosi Mahlangu was recognised for his efforts as he received an accolade of appreciation at the Chief Dakamela Achievers Awards held in Nkayi early this month.
Mahlangu with the Lupane Veggie Guys will be part of the exhibitors at this year’s Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) running from 23 to 27 April.
This year’s theme is “Innovation: The Catalyst to Industrialisation and Trade.”
Online Reporter