De Beers Group and the Stanford Seed Transformation Network, in partnership with Stanbic Bank Botswana’s Acceler8 Incubator, recently hosted Fannie Gwizi, Managing Director of Arona Natural Foods, for the July edition of their entrepreneurship series. During the session, Gwizi shared his success story, emphasising patience, focus and immense discipline as key factors in building his successful venture.
The initiative, dubbed “Elevate, Accelerate and Impact Entrepreneurship Sessions”, aims to inspire and equip aspiring entrepreneurs to turn their passions into profitable ventures. The platform invites Stanford Seed Transformation Programme graduates like Gwizi, who have completed management training, leadership workshops, and received networking support, to share their success stories. These stories aim to inspire small business owners with effective strategies for building successful enterprises.
Incorporated in 2014, Arona Natural Foods is Botswana’s first ever Cold Pressed Natural Virgin Sunflower Cooking Oil manufacturer specialising in manufacturing Cold Pressed Natural Virgin Sunflower Cooking Oil using Grade-A sunflower seed as raw material.
Gwizi’s curiosity about cooking oil production, combined with a noticeable gap in the market, spurred him to explore the industry. Inspired by his father’s passion for baking, he founded Arona Bread Basket in 2018 as a subsidiary of Arona Natural Foods.
His entrepreneurial journey was challenging. Despite starting with limited capital, he remained confident and determined. For nearly seven years, he saved money each month to buy his first sunflower extraction machine. During this period, he also conducted extensive research to ensure his venture’s success.
Starting with just one machine in a small office in Commerce Park, Arona Natural Foods has grown into a thriving business, now employing nearly 140 people in their warehouse in Phakalane. With support from CEDA funding, Gwizi expanded the business to include an oil factory and bakery extension. He later secured loans from commercial banks to finance additional machinery and other business needs. Gwizi advised small business owners to rethink their views on debt. “There is nothing wrong with debt, the problem is our attitude to that debt,” he said.
The company gained recognition from major international retailers, including Woolworths which has commissioned them for baked goods. Their cooking oil is also in demand among a wide range of clients such as Choppies, Pick & Pay, Sefalana, Grand Palm, Cresta Hotels, hospitals, restaurants and government institutions.
Arona’s latest venture, a partnership with Cape Town-based baked goods company Goosebumps to establish a frozen baked goods plant in Gaborone, underscores the company’s commitment to innovation and global competitiveness. His approach to overcoming setbacks is clear: “If they say no, go back and perfect your craft until your work is so exceptional that they can’t say no.” he advised.
