Eat and Plant Moringa in eSwatini (Swaziland)
(Presented by Lungile Ginindza – May 2018)
Good afternoon Moringa family. I’m humbled to present to you a story about me in the Moringa journey.
I started Moringa in 2013 upon hearing from the Royal family, Prince and the Princess, talking about the economic and health benefits of Moringa, during the Cattle byre which was held in 2012 in eSwatini. I was listening to the radio.
Getting Started
Out of that curiosity, I started researching about Moringa Oleifera. As a Researcher, Agricultural Economist, I gathered that it was one of the most nutritious plant, a vegetable plant, a miracle tree, never die tree. I surfed the Internet to find out more about this amazing plant. I gathered a lot of documentations from other authors which brought evidence that the tree was really a plant to be promoted for its medicinal use, benefit use, to cite a few.
Then, early 2013 I registered a company called Ventures Renata to promote Moringa. One may ask how did I get stock?
It is a long story, but to cut it short, I surf the net again, until I met one man in Nigeria who was into Moringa growing, promotion as well as Moringa product development, he sent me stock.
Discovering Local Moringa
I then discovered locally grown Moringa products like the seeds and the powder, so I sold those.
I first tasted the Moringa seeds, then I introduced them to clients. I would make them taste the Moringa seed and gave them water to feel the bitter and sweet taste after drinking the water. That was how introduced Moringa seeds.
Even though a number of people did not like the taste, I still continued.
One Moringa seed, one Miracle.
I sold Moringa seeds in small sachets, where I counted the seeds and sold them at SZL10.00 in our currency ($.83). It was affordable.
As I was introducing the Moringa, a lot of people, especially our Minister of Health in place at that time (2013), announced through the media to eat Moringa at one’s own risk. However, those negative words could not stop me to advocate for Moringa, as I would research more about the vegetable plant. The negative reports caused some other people to lose hope, but when they saw that I promoted it, they began selling it again.
The fact that I had end products of Moringa, that made it easier for me to promote it. I would tell people that Moringa has tea, leaf powder, Moringa ointment, Moringa hair food to cite a few.
Growing Enterprise
At Ventures Renata, I hired staff. As I was working for government, I taught them and they would be able to advocate, like I told them. The staff I had were teachable to such that they enabled me to promote the Miracle tree. I had posters at the shop which easily indicated the benefits of Moringa.
I would also attend Trade shows in eSwatini, South Africa and Botswana, where I promoted Moringa. Eating the seeds was the order of the day. I’d have water nearby so that people should chew the seeds and drink water to feel the taste. Then I’d tell them to buy the Moringa seeds to plant as well, as they did not know that they could be planted. They should plant the seeds 2 cm deep. So that was how I encouraged eating and planting Moringa.
During one exhibition in eSwatini, I met Prof. Edge at our Ventures Renata stand. He enquired about the Moringa plant. I explained the economic, health benefits of the plant. At first he was not for the idea, but I encouraged him to research more about the Moringa plant. I gave him some seeds to chew and to start planting. I pointed out it would be better if he could introduce Moringa at the University of Swaziland – Luyengo Campus. Then, he did likewise, that’s how its was introduced at the university.
Along the way, I met Philip Mamba who also grew Moringa. I bought seedlings, but only one survived till now.
Pioneer of Africa Moringa Hub
As a researcher and a networker, I met Joshua Huran on Facebook, who felt there was a need to establish Africa Moringa Hub. That excited me that I will network with others from other African countries in advocating for Moringa. The birth of Whatsapp platform was established. So I was one of the Pioneers in establishing Africa Moringa Hub.
Upon establishing the hub, we adopted the slogan “Eat and Plant Moringa”, which is what I had been encouraging people to do. African people needed to know about the health benefits of eating moringa, and then learn about planting it to make moringa readily available.
As already stated, Moringa is one of the most nutritious vegetable plant. Every part of it is used from the seeds, leaf, roots, flowers, barks and drumstick pods.
As advocates for Moringa we need to learn about product development. I like to encourage other members to continue promoting Moringa, and have case studies.
It is quite interesting even in AMH as we continued learn, a booklet was established, competitions are run and I partake.
Video Recipe Competition
Recently, I did Moringa Fish. I was very excited to be part of the video recipe competition. I learned to record a video for the first time, which was posted even on other platforms.
To infer, I am humbled to present to you my brief story. I thank God for the Africa Moringa Hub. We Are What We Eat!
THANK YOU
NGIYABONGA
“One Moringa seed, one Miracle”