adminNgoni Dapira
ONE of the country’s largest tea producer and distributor, Tanganda Tea Company, is set to expand its tea market and blend green teas.
Green teas are known to be healthy with bio-active compounds that improve health.
Tanganda which is a subsidiary of Meikles Africa last year secured funding from Preferential Trade Area Bank (PTA) and invested $2 million in state-of-the-art tea packaging machines from Italy and Germany.
In an interview on the sidelines of the company’s annual long-service awards held recently, the company’s beverage division and marketing general manager, Mr Kwirirai Chigerwe, said with its state-of-the-art equipment, the company has been able to competitively expand into regional markets in Zambia, South Africa and Mozambique competing with international brands.
He added that Tanganda Tea Company believed in producing world class products which is why apart from its blended range of herbal Rooibos teas, it will soon blend green teas which is growing in demand.
“As Tanganda, we believe in world class products. This is why we invested $2 million to revamp our packaging line last year. We first expanded from our core Tanganda range and launched the herbal teas section of Rooibos teas and soon we will be blending green teas because people are drifting towards healthy teas,” said Mr Chigerwe.
He said as a wholly owned Zimbabwean company they want to maintain a niche as Tanganda.
“Just like Five Roses, Stella and Tanganda brands, those brands became our iconic brands which put Zimbabwe on the map internationally and we aim to maintain that niche,” he said.
Mr Chigwere, however, called on the need for Government to expedite the transformation of the National Incomes and Pricing Commission into the National Competitiveness Commission to continuously look at ways of improving the business environment in the country. He added that the commission would greatly assist in regulating pricing of commodities in the country which was the major drawback towards revamping local industry.
Speaking during the awards ceremony, Tanganda Tea Company managing director, Mr Timothy Fennel, said to sustain its operations over the years, the company had to diversify into coffee, avocadoes and macadamia nuts.
“Many companies are closing down, but we are not because of the commitment of our human resource, which is why we hold these long-service awards each year acknowledging those that would have reached the 15-year and 25-year benchmark. We have, however, over the years also had to diversify into farming coffee, avocadoes and macadamia nuts to sustain our revenue flows,” said Mr Fennel.
Six employees were awarded certificates and cash vouchers for their long service. Four received 15-year long service awards and two for 25-years.
The workers committee chairman, Mr Weston Chinodakufa, who received his award for 25-years, said at one point during the Zimbabwe dollar hyper-inflationary era, he almost resigned.
“Had it not been for my late mother who advised me not to resign and join the informal sector I would not be receiving this award today standing here proud of the immeasurable experience I have attained at Tanganda over the years.
“To my junior colleagues I say for you to stay this long here, make everyday a new day,” said Mr Chinodakufa.
The Tanganda Tea Company Group is divided into two main operating divisions, agricultural and beverage.
The agricultural division is based in Chipinge District with four tea estates and three coffee farms.
Both tea and coffee are processed in bulk form for the export or local markets.
The beverage division consists of a blending and packaging plant in Mutare with sales and distribution depots in Harare, Bulawayo and Mutare.
The Tanganda major brands include Five Roses, Stella, Tanganda, Silver, Joko, Special Blend Teabags, Tanganda Tips, Classic Gifts, Fresh Leaves, Natra and Rooibos.
Online Reporter