Sweet potato drinking yoghurt the healthier choice

Written by More Matshediso

A young entrepreneur from Limpopo is producing yoghurt made with sweet potatoes.

A local entrepreneur from Ga Molepo in Limpopo has identified a gap in the market and is using sweet potatoes to provide consumers with a healthier choice for drinking yoghurts.

Edward Molatela Kgarose (29) is the founder of Kgarose Kgaros (Pty) Ltd, a company that produces sweet potato yoghurt in three flavours, namely banana, strawberry and apricot.

Kgarose, who has qualifications in marketing management, told Vuk’uzenzele that he saw a gap in the food sector. He researched the health benefits of sweet potatoes and started his business in 2016.

He found out that sweet potatoes are a low-sugar vegetable, a good blood regulator while also high in fibre, vitamins and calcium.

“Sweet potatoes have a neutral flavour, and easily blend with other flavours. They also have high plant protein levels and low calories, which make them a healthy and smart choice compared to other starchy root vegetables,” he said.

Kgarose said the product is lab tested and is safe for human consumption.

He is one of the young people who have heeded government’s call to consider entrepreneurship as a way of helping the economy grow, create jobs and fight youth unemployment.

In the two years that his business has been in operation, he has employed four people in his province and has plans to open a mini factory in Germiston, Gauteng soon.

Currently, his product is available at two retail stores in Polokwane.

Over the years, government has urged the private sector to support emerging small businesses to assist South Africa with economic growth by generating meaningful economic activity in townships, rural villages and towns.

Kgarose has received support of about R70 000 from the Shoprite Hustle competition.

His company also won about R50 000 from SABC1’s Making Moves entrepreneurial show.

“With all the funds I received, I managed to buy some small equipment that has enabled me to produce 500 units of 385g of yoghurt per day,” he explained.