At just 36 years old, Khutsiso Chuene Mosetsho has turned a family recipe into a thriving local business, producing a proudly South African mayonnaise brand called Queen Mosima Mayonnaise.
Mosetsho started his business in 2015, inspired by his late grandmother, Mosima, whose love for cooking and a knack for making delicious salads from her small kitchen left a lasting impression on him.
“The love for food started at home,” he explained. “My late grandmother used to make the most amazing salads, and I inherited her recipe. I decided to build on that and start a mayonnaise brand that carries her name, Queen Mosima.”
Mosetsho said his motivation for starting the business was threefold: to bridge the gap in an industry dominated by established brands, to support local farmers, and to create employment opportunities in his community.
“I noticed that very few black people were participating in this industry,” he said. “I also saw an opportunity to create a value chain by sourcing raw materials like eggs, lemons and herbs from local farmers.
“Beyond that, unemployment in our community is high, and I wanted to build something that could create jobs and change lives.”
Operating from a small plant at Mathibela, a village in Zebediela, Mosetsho currently employs six full-time workers and two seasonal staff. His products are already available in local markets, retail stores, and community outlets, where they have gained a loyal following.
Following his recent appearance on national television, demand for Queen Mosima mayonnaise has surged, with many customers praising its authentic, home-style flavour.
Mosetsho is now building a small factory at Mathibela. His next goal is to secure funding to purchase industrial blenders, expand production capacity, and acquire land for a larger facility that can help him compete internationally.
“People love the product, but to grow and meet demand, we need financial support,” he said. “My dream is to see Queen Mosima Mayonnaise on supermarket shelves across South Africa, and eventually, around the world.”
