A partnership in the form of Foodbev was established between food scientist, Mrs Kotsa Katsande and veterinarian, Dr Charles Katsande after they identified a gap in the market in the Food and Beverage industry. With all food training and consulting companies in the industry being white-owned, the Katsande’s involvement in this space was a no brainer. This was a space where black-owned SMME were becoming a large part of the economic market yet lacked support and guidance. This is where Foodbev excels; in training and assisting SMMEs to develop and grow within themselves and within the market.

Identified by 20/20 Insight, Foodbev has been appointed four beneficiary companies as their starting point in assisting Siyakhula fulfil its mandate to beneficiaries. Foodbev provides a unique service where they assess the challenges and needs of companies in the Food and Beverage industry, after which they assist them to develop a tailormade Development strategy or training sessions, depending on the need. Foodbev thrives on giving their clients extra value. Charles maintains that value for money is the key to growing ones customer base and what keeps them coming back is the simple lesson of teaching them how to fish, in this case strategic skills in the Food and Beverage industry.

Foodbev’s team consists of highly skilled and committed individuals with extensive knowledge and experience in Food Safety, Quality Management, Product Development, Project Management and Business Development that share the same purpose to empower and improve the food industry not only in South Africa but throughout the entire African continent. The team of directors, staff and expert consultants are made up of Food Scientists; Food Technologists; Quality, Occupational Health & Safety, Environment and Agribusiness specialists, with a wealth of experience. Similar to most companies, Covid-19 lockdowns brought about a change in Foodbev where they had to make a decision to either carry on training and consulting or crash and burn. Foodbev turned to online training and now offer two training g options; Online training, which actually works out cheaper, but unfortunately lacks the hands-on training and experience or alternatively, In-house training which is more hands on but includes travel costs and other factors, making this option slightly more costly.

The Katsandes are hoping that soon, within their 5 year goal, that their company will be able to run on a systems structure and that they will be able to sit and watch their company grow and excel in its market. Charles spoke of sitting back and watching the works of his hands evolve around him because all the physical work would have already taken place. Dr Charles said that “We must build strong partnerships within Africa”, which as an African makes absolute sense and is vital to the growth of our continent. The Katsandes have set it in their minds that Foodbev should continue to expand, thus creating jobs and empowering the people.

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