Sefalana converts Golden Fruit into retail outlet

Pauline Dikuelo | Thursday August 10, 2017 16:01

 

Sefalana, which bought the plant for P4.3 million at a disposal auction held two years ago, said the plant is being relocated to Foods Botswana.

According to Sefalana Cash & Carry managing director, Hans Kampmann they will convert the Golden Fruit plant in Boatle into a Cash ’n Carry towards the end of this year.

“Golden Fruit Juice is being relocated to Foods Botswana Beverages so that liquid manufacturing could be done under one roof. We will let you know once the Golden Fruit is re-commissioned,” he said.

Golden Fruit was mothballed in 2013 amid operational stress, with more than 100 workers losing their jobs. The 17-year-old company was wholly-owned by the BDC, which snapped it up from its founding citizen investors.

Currently, Sefalana has Kwencha drinks under their brand in different flavours. Sefalana Holdings through its subsidiary, Foods Botswana also purchased a UHT milk plant from the liquidated Delta Dairies business in 2015.  During the following months, the plant was tested and restored and additional equipment was procured to ensure the plant is fully operational. 

The manufacturing of milk commenced in December 2015 with the supply of the ‘A Star’ brand of milk to the Sefalana stores.

According to the Sefalana Group managing director, Chandra Chauhan  the milk plant is now supplying government under the children’s milk feeding scheme tender.

“A tenderer who was awarded the contract by government was, however, able to adequately supply the milk to the government and Food Botswana was approached during the year to supply part of the contract volumes which amounted to two months of production and at very low margins.

“Foods Botswana was able to supply the full order quantity in less than the prescribed time.  No tender was issued in 2016, however, Foods Botswana has successfully won the 2017 tender and commenced supply in May 2017,” Chauhan said.

According to Chauhan, the establishment of this plant has resulted in the re-employment of a number of members of staff who were left unemployed following the liquidation of their previous employer.

“As the business grows we look to further increase employment in the area and this will be largely driven by the increased manufacturing activity required for the supply of the government contract,” he said.