By Maphuti Mongatane
“It takes a village to raise a child and, in our case, to grow a sustainable local bean industry.” These were the opening words from Dumo Mfini, managing director of the Culinary division at Tiger Brands, as he welcomed a gathering of partners, farmers, government officials and industry leaders to the 2025 Tiger Brands Heritage Tour.
Following the success of last year’s exploration of the tomato value chain, this year, the focus was on small white beans, the star ingredient in KOO Baked Beans, a household staple across South Africa.
Mfini outlined Tiger Brands’ commitment to localising bean production and reducing the company’s dependence on imports. “We’ve set ourselves a target of producing no less than 1 000 tonnes this year to replace imported beans. Last season, we faced challenges due to climate conditions, but this year we are investing in partnerships, science and skills to build a stronger local supply chain.
“Not everyone can simply wake up and grow these beans. They require precision farming, specialised knowledge and collaboration. That’s why we are working closely with farmers, scientists and government.”
A spirit of partnership
Mpumi Maesela, the chief executive of SE Holdings, a Tiger Brands aggregator, spoke about the programme’s role in enabling farmers and building resilience. “Our focus is on helping farmers meet the requirements to deliver Grade A beans. That’s where the aggregator comes in. We provide technical support, funding facilitation and linkages to ensure they can farm profitably.”
She emphasised the importance of access to working capital. “You can have the right machinery, but without capital for inputs or cash flow to operate, farmers cannot deliver. Our work with partners like Exxaro is about closing these gaps and unlocking the full potential of local farmers.
“We always say, the best fertiliser is the farmer’s feet on the ground. Today, we’re here, side by side with our farmers, and committed to walking this journey with them.”
Nico Mookeletsi, a specialist with the Exxaro Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) programme, echoed the spirit of partnership: “When you invest in farmers, you empower entire communities. We’re proud to support this initiative and continue bringing more partners into the fold to help scale up local production.”
From farmer to factory
Fefe Maqubela Schierpoort, one of the participating farmers, shared her heartfelt appreciation. “I’m overwhelmed by this support. The Tiger Brands and SE teams have been incredible – they send experts to our farms, help us through the challenges, and genuinely care about our success. It’s rare to see this level of collaboration, and I feel truly blessed.
“When you eat these beans, remember they are proudly South African, grown with love, care and dedication.”
Hilton Sarukunda, the head of Wholesale Lending at the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency, drove home the importance of system-wide efficiency. “Agriculture may not be a race, but the system must work with precision and speed. If planting, harvesting, processing or transport is delayed, quality suffers. Everyone in this value chain, from farmer to factory, must understand their role in ensuring top-quality beans reach consumers.”
Looking ahead
In closing, Angus van Wyk, manufacturing director at Tiger Brands, reaffirmed the company’s long-term commitment: “We’re proud of the progress we’ve made, but this is only the beginning. By building strong partnerships, investing in local talent and working together across sectors, we can ensure that more South Africans eat proudly South African beans – grown by our own farmers.”
The Tiger Brands Heritage Bean Tour 2025 was more than a field trip – it was a celebration of collaboration and local empowerment. Together, these partners are not only growing beans but also cultivating a future rooted in inclusive and sustainable agriculture.
Also read:
The small white bean’s journey – from soil to KOO Baked Beans
