By: Mpho Shelile
Maseru – Stella (Pty) Ltd, co-founded by Kebone Mothebe and Lieketseng Maribe, stands as a testament to resilience and entrepreneurial spirit. The duo’s journey begins in 2012 at Morija Girls’ School, where they forge a lasting friendship.
This bond strengthens further when they both pursue the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) qualification at the Centre for Accounting Studies in July 2017. Despite facing financial and academic challenges, Kebone and Lieketseng turn adversity into opportunity by launching their business, starting with selling steel wool and pot scrapers door-to-door.
Kebone’s passion for business sparked early in life when she began selling sweets. “I started selling sweets when in primary level, I managed to save the proceeds to pay for my school trips, and that’s when the love of being a business owner began growing,” Kebone shares with Informative Newspaper.
She notes that this experience laid foundation for her entrepreneurial ambitions. In 2017, she ventured into atchar production as part of a family business. Although the family business did not succeed, Kebone gained valuable knowledge in atchar production, which later proved instrumental.
“During our time as students, we expanded our product line to include steel wool, pot scrapers, beans, and Cosmos Atchar. However, balancing our studies with the business proved challenging, so we decide to focus exclusively on Cosmos Atchar, supplying it to shops and supermarkets.
“This shift, while necessary, led to challenges in maintaining product control, as our atchar stays longer on shelves compared to when we sell directly to individuals. Although atchar has a long shelf life, it must be well-preserved under the oil, which significantly increases our production costs.”
Cosmos Atchar is made from fermented green mangoes, garlic, salt, paprika, and a blend of spices. The atchar is preserved in oil, which not only enhances its flavor but also extends its shelf life. The product has been receiving positive feedback from customers, particularly for its taste and the amount of oil used in preservation.
Kebone’s prior experience in atchar production led to the creation of Cosmos Atchar, a product that quickly gains popularity. Initially, Stella (Pty) Ltd offers a range of products, including steel wool, pot scrapers, beans, and Cosmos Atchar.
However, the demands of being full-time students made it difficult to manage both their studies and the business. To focus on their most promising product, they discontinued other items and concentrate on supplying Cosmos Atchar to shops and supermarkets. The decision to scale up presented new challenges, such as increased production costs and issues with product preservation, which led to sales returns.
Despite these setbacks, by 2021, Cosmos Atchar began supplying more than fifteen shops, a significant achievement for the young entrepreneurs. However, the COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted their operations, leading to losses and the temporary suspension of the business.
Stella (Pty) Ltd is currently in the reintroduction phase of Cosmos Atchar, with a renewed focus on selling directly to individuals. The company leverages street selling, exhibitions, markets, and direct deliveries to reach its customers. Their plan includes expanding their reach by supplying large quantities to resellers across the country and eventually partnering with chain stores.
However, Kebone and Lieketseng are mindful of varying customer preferences and are exploring the possibility of offering different flavors and levels of spiciness to cater to diverse tastes.
To attract new customers and encourage repeat sales, Stella (Pty) Ltd runs mid-month and month-end specials and offers product bundles, such as pairing Cosmos Atchar with eggs. They have also invested in branded gazebos and banners for street selling and actively sponsor Facebook posts to increase their visibility as part of their marketing strategy.
Although they currently lack control over their supply chain and do not have established relationships with suppliers, Kebone and Lieketseng are taking steps to address these issues. They have begun meeting with manufacturers to solidify partnerships that will support their long-term growth.
Stella (Pty) Ltd is committed to giving back to the community. While they are not yet involved in any community projects, they plan to plant waste drums in local areas as part of their corporate social responsibility initiatives.
They also recognize the importance of networking and mentorship, particularly for women in entrepreneurship, and are dedicated to fostering inclusive communities that support sustainable development.
Looking ahead, Kebone and Lieketseng aim to expand their product line with related items and make their products more accessible through partnerships with chain stores, retailers, resellers, and commission-based partners. Their ultimate goal is to drive economic and social opportunities, particularly for youth, while reducing unemployment and contributing to the development of Lesotho.
Stella (Pty) Ltd, under the leadership of Kebone Mothebe and Lieketseng Maribe, embodies the spirit of entrepreneurship in Lesotho. Through perseverance, innovation, and a commitment to community, they are poised to make Cosmos Atchar a household name and inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs in the process.