Mbaliyethu (Lisa) Mthethwa and Masibonge (Lona) Mnguni, award-winning South African agroprocessing entrepreneurs

Startup Story

Frutee Belliez is a South African agroprocessing business founded by sisters Mbaliyethu(Lisa) Mthethwa and Masibonge (Lona) Mnguni. They have over 10 years’ experience as entrepreneurs, and their company focuses on processing fruits and vegetables and supplying them to industrial kitchens, as well as catering companies. They have won numerous awards with the most recent being Top Processor in KZN in the Department of Agriculture Female Farmer  Entrepreneur Competition in 2018.

LoA chatted to these enterprising sisters to find out more about their entrepreneurial journey to date, and their ambitions for the future.

What does your company do?

Frutee Belliez is an Agroprocessing company. We process fruits and vegetables into various products such as fruit salads, smoothies, freshly squeezed juices, as well as herbal natural tonics.

“Frutee Belliez is an Agroprocessing company. We process fruits and vegetables into various products such as fruit salads, smoothies, freshly squeezed juices, as well as herbal natural tonics.”

What inspired you to start your company?

In 2007 we used to run an organisation called GIG (God Is Good), and every Sunday we used to feed homeless people on the streets. Every time we interacted with them they would ask us for a job which made us realize that we had to create jobs in our country. This inspired us to start our business. Also growing up in the township we saw the lack of nutrition in our lives and of those surrounding us with high obesity rates especially from school kids. We then started selling fruit salads in schools to encourage them to eat fruits daily.

Why should anyone use your service or product?

We are a small business; we are flexible and pay close attention to detail. We are hands-on when it comes to sourcing our produce, processing of it, ensuring that the final product is of the best quality. We are young dynamic team always looking for ways in which we can improve what we do and offer the best service to our clients.

“Growing up in the township we saw the lack of nutrition in our lives and of those surrounding us with high obesity rates especially from school kids. We then started selling fruit salads in schools to encourage them to eat fruits daily.”

Tell us a little about your team

We are a team of 3 permanent staff. Prior to COVID, we had 4 ladies that worked with us on a casual basis, they were young, driven, hardworking and are team players. They focused on manufacturing of the products. At Frutee Belliez, everyone is valued and we are like a family.

Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?

It all started when Lisa used to sell sweets in high school as a way of making extra money, which she would then save and help my mother. When we started the organisation GIG (God is Good), we used to also make and sell cards with inspirational messages at church so we could raise money for the Sunday meals. Not only have we been running Frutee Belliez for all these years, but we also make and sell hair accessories, hand crocheted products and natural hair products. It’s been a long entrepreneurial road and we always looking for new and exciting opportunities.

“We are a small business; we are flexible and pay close attention to detail. We are hands-on when it comes to sourcing our produce, processing of it, ensuring that the final product is of the best quality.”

What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?

To own a farm whereby we can grow and process our own produce. To franchise Frutee Belliez. To export some of our products.

What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?

Being able to create new products and seeing the positive responses from our clients. Being able to be flexible with our time.

What’s the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?

Don’t be afraid to start. Don’t limit yourself. Try to have multiple streams of income. Believe in yourself. 

There will be moments where the business will not go well, always remember why you started and that will keep you going. 

Don’t be afraid to fail, that’s how we learn and improve our game. 

Whilst you focus on your business, your life is also very important, so learn to strike a balance and do not neglect the things that mean the most to you.

Contact or follow Frutee Belliez

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | EMAIL Info@fruteebelliez.co.za

Why LoA loves it…

It is always wonderful seeing passion-driven women entrepreneurs who want to make an impact in the lives of others, as well as creating a successful business. Sisters Mbaliyethu (Lisa) Mthethwa and Masibonge (Lona) Mnguni are doing just that, and their business today is helping people to eat more healthy foods, whilst at the same time creating jobs. This is a business that is set to grow as a result of the vision and passion shown by Lisa and Lona, and their big ambitions for the future.  — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa

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