Young trailblazing innovator

Youth Buzz

Rudo Mandiro

WHEN she was just 14 years old, Valentine Shoti had a light-bulb moment.

She wanted to create a new kind of herbal peanut butter that would be both delicious and healthy.

Shoti, now 25, began experimenting with different herbs and spices until she eventually developed a recipe that she was proud of.

She called her new product Organut Herbal Peanut Butter.

After tragically losing both her parents at a young age, she engrossed herself in establishing a small enterprise that would help fend for her siblings and sick grandmother.

She then started making her product while doing Form Two at Zengeza High School.

Her herbal peanut butter was a hit with the locals and she soon found herself overwhelmed with orders.

She has since set up a mini-factory in Chakahwata village, Dema.

“It all started because I wanted to help my younger siblings and sick grandmother, who is now in her late 90s,” she said.

“She lives with diabetes, high blood pressure and arthritis.

“It was very hard for me.

“I needed to start earning some money to pay for my sisters’ school fees, our monthly rentals, food and medication for my grandmother.”

She launched her first branded herbal and flavoured peanut butter in 2013.

From then on, life took a turn for the better.

Her grandmother’s health improved significantly.

“l could not afford to buy her medication regularly,” she continued.

“This was my only way of ensuring that she was in good health — preparing her meals using my herbal peanut butter, which is a high nutrient and herbal supplement.”

Her grandmother could not stand the bitter taste and unpleasant smell of herbs that doctors had recommended to manage her health condition.

This motivated Shoti to creatively mix herbs with peanut butter, which turned out to be her grandmother’s preferred option.

In the process, her health dramatically improved and she rarely fell ill, greatly cutting down the family’s medical expenses.

In 2014, she introduced the product at her school and community, and it was well-received.

“A lot of people liked it; this was how people started calling me ‘Mai Dovi’ and l became so popular,” she added.

She later registered her business as the founder and chief executive of Organut Manufactures Pvt Limited Company.

She has since won 25 awards at the annual Young Scientists Competition.

Recently, she started travelling abroad to seek export markets for her products.

She has attended business seminars in countries such as the United Arab Emirates.

She dreams of her product helping to change the lives of those living with chronic ailments.

“I want to transform health by bringing in reformative formulas,” she said.

“I believe what we eat determines our lifespan.”

Her products come in a variety of flavours — including vanilla, moringa, ginger and garlic.

She urged youths to seize economic opportunities by establishing game-changing start-ups.

“No matter your background, when you get an opportunity to grow, grab it with both hands because it may determine your future.”

◆ Twitter: @rudomandiro