Loyiso Manga is flipping the script on the olive oil game. As the founder of Ubuntu Extra Virgin Olive Oil, he’s proving that you don’t need to own a farm to make waves in agriculture. He shares details about his journey in our Farmer Mentor podcast series on Farmer’s Inside Track.
Growing up, Loyiso Manga has always been keenly aware of the importance of well-being, both personally and within his community. Today, he is the founder of Ubuntu Extra Virgin Olive Oil, a product that resonates with African values of community and sharing.
Manga’s journey to build Ubuntu Extra Virgin Olive Oil is nothing short of inspiring. What motivated him to get into the olive oil industry, is mainly because of the health benefits.
“Olive oil helps with reducing type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and inflammation. It also has skin and hair care benefits, particularly for eczema and natural hair. I saw an opportunity to preach this gospel of health while building a business,” Manga shares.
Drawn to the challenge of entering an industry with little representation of black entrepreneurs, Manga felt ready to make a meaningful impact.
“At the time, there were no black participants in the olive oil industry. I love the adventure of trying something new, meeting new people, and building a brand,” he says.
Building a brand without owning land
One of Manga’s unique challenges is that he doesn’t own an olive farm. Instead, he relies on partnerships with South African producers who share his dedication to quality.
“South African olive oil producers are incredibly proud of what they produce. Most of them are part of SA Olive, which ensures their oil meets extra virgin standards. This pride and commitment to quality make it easier to source top-tier olive oil.”
Manga blends different cultivars to create a distinctive product that reflects his brand’s ethos. “The fun part is blending different cultivars and creating exciting flavours, This allows us to offer a unique experience to our customers.”
The agricultural sector is not without difficulties, and the olive oil industry is no exception. Manga faced significant challenges, particularly during 2023 when a poor harvest caused a shortage of olive oil. “Last year’s harvest was the worst in 25 years,” Manga explains. “Our suppliers struggled to meet demand, and we were out of business for nearly a year.”
In addition to supply chain disruptions, Manga faced financial hurdles. “Working capital to purchase stock – bottles, labels, and olive oil itself – has always been a challenge,” he says.
Despite these obstacles, Manga remains motivated by his vision to create generational wealth and inspire young South Africans. “It takes one person in the family to make sacrifices and break barriers, and I see myself as that person.”
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Strategic moves and future plans
Ubuntu Extra Virgin Olive Oil has not only found its way onto store shelves but also into the global spotlight. The brand recently won a silver medal at the prestigious New York International Olive Oil Competition.
“Our greatest victory was winning an award under our own label. It’s a testament to the quality of South African olive oil, which is top-tier.”
Strategic partnerships have been pivotal to Manga’s success. Being listed with Woolworths was a game-changer. “It gave our brand credibility and made people trust our product,” he says.
Looking ahead, Manga envisions expanding Ubuntu Extra Virgin Olive Oil’s impact. His plans include establishing an agro-processing facility in Cape Town, with an attached agritourism centre offering olive oil tastings and education. Additionally, Manga aims to set up a distribution warehouse in Botswana to tap into East and West African markets.
“We want to contribute to employment and create an experience where people can engage with olive oil in new ways. The ultimate goal is to own an olive farm and complete the value chain.”
Manga is optimistic about the future of South Africa’s olive oil industry but sees areas for improvement. “The government needs to support the industry by addressing issues like cheaper, inferior imports and helping people of colour access land.”
He also highlights the potential for olive cultivation in regions like the Eastern Cape, which could drive transformation and growth.
Want to know more? Listen to the full episode of Farmer’s Inside Track.
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