It was even problematic for net importers like Botswana, who rely heavily on imports from beverages to fuel and are reliant on established exporters like South Africa.
However, the pandemic brought in business opportunities for a number of Batswana including Thando Silongo-who saw a gap in the market. Silongo set up her company, Kalahari Koola, in 2020 at the height of the pandemic following the realisation that most goods were being imported, leading to supply chain disruptions and scarcity of essential products.
She explains that in response to this challenge, the founders of Kalahari Koola decided to create a local brand that would provide a consistent supply of beverages, even during times of crisis. “I realised that there were a lot of imports especially beverages like juices, and also in Botswana they were focusing more on diamonds, so I did my research and found out that the import bill for beverages was high then,” explained Silongo. “I thought why not produce something that could be simple and affordable for Batswana.” The company specialises in the production of a wide range of refreshing beverages, including apple juice, red rooibos juice, ice tea, ice pops, still water and cool time. Kalahari Koola takes pride in its diverse product range, carefully crafted to meet the demands of a discerning consumer base.
Their apple juice is made from handpicked South African apples, ensuring a rich and natural flavour that is both refreshing and nutritious. The red rooibos juice, a unique offering, on the other hand is made from the finest rooibos leaves, renowned for their health benefits and distinct taste. “Kalahari Koola prides itself on sourcing the freshest fruits from South Africa, particularly apples and citrus fruits. “By partnering with local farmers, they ensure that only the highest quality produce is used in their beverages,” Silongo added. According to the founder, Kalahari Koola's dedication to quality is further reinforced by the company’s recent certification, obtained in December, which attests to their adherence to stringent production standards. Equally, to make their products easily accessible to consumers, Kalahari Koola has initiated discussions with TRANS Cash & Carry and Square Mart, two prominent retail chains in Botswana.
These collaborations, she said, aim to bring Kalahari Koola's beverages to a wider audience, ensuring that their locally produced drinks are readily available in stores across the country. She said by partnering with established retailers, they aim to leverage their distribution networks and increase brand visibility.’
On their head count, she said: “We have four workers at the moment, three students from Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources as attaches in our company and we aim to have a fully automated factory in Botswana in the next coming five years.” Silongo further explained that they got good reviews from the community, Local Enterprise Agency (LEA) and Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture (MYSC). They also attended exhibitions and consumer fair through LEA, and recently moved to Pilane Lea incubation centre.
