From Job Loss to Liquid Gold: How Calab Baloyi Built a Sunflower Oil Business in Orange Farm

Calab Baloyi is an entrepreneur from Orange Farm in Johannesburg who turned adversity into opportunity during the COVID-19 pandemic. After losing his corporate sales job, he faced financial strain and was forced to move back home. Instead of giving up, he looked for practical ways to build a sustainable livelihood. Inspired by his township upbringing and his mother’s small garden, he decided to enter farming. This decision marked the beginning of his journey into sunflower production and food processing.

Baloyi founded Nosso Sunflower Oil, a business focused on growing sunflowers and producing cooking oil for local markets. The company operates within the agricultural and food processing sector, supplying households and small businesses in Orange Farm and surrounding areas. Nosso Sunflower Oil produces locally made sunflower cooking oil in various quantities. The business responds to the need for accessible and healthy cooking oil in township communities. It also promotes local production and reduced dependence on imported products.

The business was officially started in 2019 after Baloyi identified sunflower oil as a viable product with strong demand. Limited land pushed him to focus on a crop that could deliver higher value per hectare. He began experimenting with sunflower seeds using minimal capital and basic equipment. Over time, he developed a workable production model that could be scaled. His background in sales helped him understand customers and pricing. This combination of farming and business skills shaped the foundation of Nosso Sunflower Oil.

Nosso Sunflower Oil serves both households and enterprises by offering quality oil at fair prices. The business addresses limited access to affordable and locally produced cooking oil. It also contributes to job creation and local economic activity. A key feature of the operation is sustainability. Sunflower by-products are repurposed into nutrient rich animal feed. This reduces waste and supports local livestock farmers.

Access to land and resources has been one of Baloyi’s biggest challenges. Scaling production required support beyond what he could fund on his own. Partnerships with the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development played a key role. Support also came from the National Youth Development Agency and the Innovation Hub Sebokeng. These partnerships provided funding, training, and infrastructure support. They enabled the business to expand operations and improve production capacity.

Looking ahead, Baloyi plans to expand Nosso Sunflower Oil into more townships and communities over the next five years. His goal is to increase production and create more opportunities for young people. He envisions an Africa driven by local entrepreneurship and sustainable farming. He advises young entrepreneurs to find opportunity in adversity and start small. He emphasizes the importance of quality, innovation, and strong branding. Through Nosso Sunflower Oil, Calab Baloyi continues to prove that township based agribusiness can grow into a sustainable enterprise.