Muofhe Eullenda Ratshikombo’s Oumies Grandé is Becoming a Rising Star in South Africa’s Agro-Processing Industry

In South Africa’s growing agro-processing sector, one name is quickly making waves — Oumies Grandé. At the helm of this fast-rising food brand is Muofhe Eullenda Ratshikombo, an entrepreneur from Johannesburg who has transformed a vision into a thriving business.

“We are an agro-processing company, cooking finger-licking foods made from farm produce and bringing them straight to people’s plates,” Ratshikombo explains.

Her journey began while working on agricultural projects for the South African National Liquor Traders. There, she noticed a persistent challenge — food wastage. Instead of letting fruits and vegetables from local farmers go to waste, Ratshikombo saw an opportunity: process them into high-quality, ready-to-eat foods that maintain their natural taste.

“By extending the shelf life of produce, we’re not only preventing waste but also preserving the flavors people grew up with,” she says.

Oumies Grandé officially registered in August 2021, and by 2022, Ratshikombo had left formal employment to dedicate herself fully to the business. She moved back to Limpopo, where she laid the foundation for what would become a proudly local food brand.

Like many startups, the early days were not easy. Funding was a major hurdle. Investors were hesitant to support a young company. To overcome this, she participated in entrepreneurship programs such as LEAP Africa, which helped her refine her business model. Support later came from the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and the Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency (SEFA), enabling her to set up operations.

Today, Oumies Grandé employs six full-time staff and an additional 14 part-time workers, creating much-needed jobs while building a strong market presence.

A big part of the company’s success lies in Ratshikombo’s commitment to sourcing fresh produce directly from local farmers. She insists on using farm-fresh fruits and vegetables to ensure both quality and authenticity. One of the brand’s most loved products, Oumie’s Atšha (homemade relish), is a customer favorite, made with traditional recipes and hand-prepared for that authentic homemade flavor.

Crossing Borders and Building Bridges

In April 2025, Oumies Grandé showcased its products at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo. The trip, funded by the Gwanda Municipality (Zimbabwe) and Makhado Municipality (South Africa), was part of a cross-border partnership under the Trans-Limpopo Spatial Development Initiative (TLSDI).

This initiative promotes collaboration between Limpopo and Matabeleland, strengthening trade, knowledge-sharing, and agricultural growth across borders. Such efforts align with SADC’s regional goals of boosting economic cooperation and sustainable development.

“We are grateful to the Gwanda and Makhado municipalities for giving us the chance to showcase our products internationally. Opportunities like these help us grow not only within South Africa but beyond its borders,” says Ratshikombo.

Looking Ahead

Ratshikombo envisions Oumies Grandé becoming a globally recognized food brand, exporting proudly South African products to international markets while staying true to its roots.

“Our main mission is to reduce food waste while empowering local farmers. That’s what drives us, and it’s what we’ll continue doing,” she concludes.

For more information, visit Oumie’s Grandé Facebook page, call 079 687 3248, or email Oumiesgrande@gmail.com