WILLOWVALE– In the rural heartland of Willowvale, a homegrown success story is emerging one that celebrates community, sustainability and entrepreneurial grit.
Mbhashe Gold Peanut Butter, a preservative-free, sugar-free delight is quickly gaining popularity across parts of the Eastern Cape, thanks to the efforts of a small but determined team.
The enterprise spearheaded by 29-year-old Anathi Mlokwa, officially launched in March this year though the seeds of the idea were first planted back in 2019. Anathi leads a dedicated team of five four women and one man who all share a commitment to quality and community-driven development.
“Our peanut butter is made with just two main ingredients: groundnuts and honey all sourced locally from Willowvale and Qumbu,” Anathi explains. She added that, “It’s about keeping things simple, natural and close to home.”
This local-first approach extends beyond sourcing. Most of their customers are from the surrounding communities, with word of mouth playing a vital role in spreading the brand’s name.
“We get most of our orders through WhatsApp and personal referrals,” says Anathi. “That personal connection is everything. Yet, like many agricultural ventures the road hasn’t always been smooth. Unpredictable weather patterns, particularly droughts, have made groundnut sourcing a challenge. When we face droughts, we pause production and communicate openly with our customers. We believe in transparency,” she says.
To address these challenges, the team is thinking ahead. Plans are underway to begin beekeeping to produce their own honey, giving them greater control over one of their key ingredients. “We want to cultivate our own bees and even grow our own groundnuts eventually,” Anathi shares.
In addition marketing-wise, Mbhashe Gold blends old and new balancing Facebook campaigns with word-of-mouth referrals and community-based advertising. Orders have started trickling in from areas like Durban, Xhora, and Bisho proving the potential reach of rural innovation.
“We want to diversify into honey-based products and continue expanding. Beekeeping isn’t just about supply it’s a way to directly connect with farmers and grow new markets,” Anathi added.
From humble beginnings to promising horizons, Mbhashe Gold Peanut Butter is more than just a product it’s a symbol of what’s possible when passion, resilience and community come together.For orders or more information, visit Mbhashe Gold’s Facebook page.
Photographs: supplied
