Believe it or not, serobe in a can
Zolani Kraai | Friday February 3, 2017 15:22
Having completed her studies, she planned to venture into her chosen career, but fate would intervene.
Sento married her long-time sweetheart Webster Mothusi Sento. The couple’s marriage vows resulted in a change of dreams, from interior design, to venturing into a unique business enterprise. That new dream has resulted in the birth of a unique Botswana product - tripe (serobe) in a can.
In recent months, the canned serobe has garnered increasing attention from the public, with many enquiring where it can be purchased. The canned tripe, available in plain and chilly 410 grammes, is proving a surprise hit, especially as more Batswana move towards the quick and easy convenience of microwave meals.
Recently, the Tsabong-raised Marcia told the story of how her career path turned from an interest in interior design, to helping her husband set up a packaging and catering enterprise that is taking the retail market by storm.
Sento quit everything and threw her focus into her husband’s idea of packaging serobe.
“I love my husband so much that I sacrificed everything to work with him on the product. It was not easy to start the business as we encountered a lot of exhausting challenges on the road to where we are now. We continue to strive of course, but that’s everyday business,” she said.
The couple’s company name is Break Ice (Pty) Ltd trading as Dune Food Products. The products are simply trademarked ‘Setso’. Dune Food Products was conceived in 2006 and according the Marcia, they had to shelve the project for three years to allow for more research and exploration of mentoring opportunities.
“We wanted to maintain and promote our culture, hence the Setso concept and it is no secret that Batswana like serobe. At first people could not believe that a product like serobe could be canned for a long period.
“Between 2011 and 2014, we hit the shelves in order to gauge customer feedback and seek out potential business avenues. By 2011, we were only packaging 190 grammes,” Sento said.
The couple’s dream received assistance from the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) and the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC), which is the main actor in the production and canning of tripe, in accordance with the highest hygienic standards.
The recipe for the lip-smacking tripe is a closely guarded secret, but all ingredients and their combinations have been approved by the National Food Technology Research Centre (NAFTRC).
“They (BMC) do almost everything for us including packaging and with the experience that my husband garnered while still employed at BMC, we are able to ensure that the product meets the food technology standards it requires.”
The canned serobe has proved wildly successful, with Brand Botswana also coming on board to market it as a proud Botswana product. Retail giants have also accepted it onto their shelves.
At present, the 410 grammes retails for P18.95 at Choppies, while the company has a three kilogrammes package for catering at weddings and other similar functions. The Sentos are now dreaming of going regional. “We are exploring big avenues in the SADC region, even though we are yet to consult with the relevant local authorities.
“We thank CEDA, BMC, the Local Enterprise Authority and NAFTRC, as well as the support we are getting from Government and its parastatals in growing our business.
“Perseverance pays and I urge Batswana to explore all the opportunities available to prosper when venturing into small and eventually large enterprises.”