female factor NEWS

SISTERS DOING IT FOR OTHERS

7 Jun 2012
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Last week, the ELLE team ventured to Durban for the final stretch of the Female Factor panel discussions. We were joined by an amazing group of women entrepreneurs to discuss feminism, fashion and everything in between. We were fortunate enough to meet two women, Mbaliyethu (Lisa) and Masibonge (Lona) Mthethwa, sisters who are truly inspiring food entrepreneurs. They are both sexy, stylish and spirited, with passion and drive to make a difference, one vegetable at a time. We asked: asking:

Tell us a bit about yourselves – what makes you tick?

Lisa:  I think it’s fair to say I have beauty and brains! I love to fix things and dance. I also love working with people.

Lona: I, like my sister, am not just a pretty face! I’m confident and super talkative. I love creating things with my hands (crafts, designs, cooking). I also love working with people. Wine gums and wisdom excite me.

Did you enjoy the Female Factor discussion?

We loved being among strong, successful women who embrace their femininity, who love their families but are passionately driven in their careers. We were able to share our views and also grow from what the other women were sharing. We were even inspired by some of the ladies who have been in the business for over 20 years because we saw ourselves in them. 

Tell us about your business, Frutee Belliez. What’s the big idea?

Frutee Belliez is a business that makes a variety of seasonal fresh fruit salads (plain, or with yoghurt and muesli, or cream) as well as peeled and chopped vegetables. We are currently supplying our products to caterers, office spaces, coffee shops as well as individual clients.

When and how did Frutee Belliez come about?

We grew up in a township of Umlazi in Kwa-Zulu Natal, and the main issues surrounding us were poverty and lack of nutrition. Our passion has always been to educate and pass on information and also to create something that will impact lives through skill development and job creation. On the same day God blessed our mom and us with the same idea of ‘fruit salads’. We know that we can’t employ the whole of Umlazi but many families will directly or indirectly be positively affected by Frutee Belliez either now or in generations to come.

What is the giving-back element?

Before Frutee Belliez came to existence there was GIG (GOD IS GOOD), which was an organisation we had formed to encourage the youth to take care of their community. We adopted a primary school, where we hosted Health Awareness Days, where we would teach the kids about basic hygiene and healthy eating. We would also donate fruit, jerseys and school shoes. We also used to give away food every Sunday to street kids. But we realised that we need to start something that will be able to sustain itself and focus on skills development as it is better to give someone a fishing rod than a fish and hence Frutee Belliez was born.

Can readers help by getting involved?

We would love assistance in terms of sponsorship – visit our website here to stay updated with upcoming events and how you can get involved.  

One of the things we have been talking about at Female Factor discussions is what is happening to the idea of sisterhood. You are sisters – what do you think?

We can definitely still draw on sisterhood. The beauty about us women is that we are made of the same material, therefore we understand each other. If we can take that and embrace it, instead of competing with each other, we will go a long way. Women are beautiful inside and out, we are nurturers, we are comforters and lovers. Once we stop suppressing these God-given characteristics, we will form strong networks that will focus on uplifting each other instead of putting each other down.

As two entrepreneurs, how do you feel about female mentorship?

We have been mothered by so many women, especially those we met in the Women Empowerment Programme run by the Ethekwini Business Support Unit headed by Khosi Sithole. These women have gone out of their way to assist us and we all care for each other genuinely.

Any advice to people wanting to follow in your footsteps?

Yes! Only you have the power to crush your dreams, therefore you had better be willing to fight to ensure that your God-given purpose is fulfilled in life!

What did you want to be growing up?

Lisa:  A teacher, then a chartered accountant.

Lona: A lawyer, then an ambassador for travel and tourism (after seeing Khanyi Dlomo Mkhize in this role).

Your catchphrase?

Live, love, learn, take care.

Top tip?

You reap what you sow, so don’t be surprised at harvest time!

Find out more about Frutee Belliez here

Give them a call on 031 8370 142.