By Noko Mashilo
The story of Queen Mosima Mayonnaise is one of culinary excellence, tradition, and family legacy. It began with the late Mosima Chuene, a remarkable woman from Limpopo, who passed her invaluable knowledge of mayonnaise production to her grandson, Khutšitšo Chuene. Her unwavering commitment to quality and her distinctive recipe laid the foundation for what has become one of Limpopo’s most cherished brands. Today, Queen Mosima Mayonnaise symbolises not just a product but a legacy of excellence and family heritage, resonating across the region.
Chuene shared with Vutivi News how his grandmother’s teachings have blossomed into a thriving business, leaving an indelible mark on the local food industry. “We produce mayonnaise and cooking oil as our primary products in honour of my late grandmother, who taught me the secret to crafting exceptional mayonnaise,” said Chuene. What sets the product apart is its smooth texture, enhanced by a unique infusion of herbs. “Our range includes flavours such as black pepper, classic, orange and lemon, garlic, banana, moringa, and litchi – all produced at our small plant in Zebediela,” said the proud businessman, originally from Chuenespoort and now based in Mathibela village.
The mayonnaise is available in 400g for R19, 700g for R24, and 2L for R50. It is stocked at Spar Limpopo, Spar City Centre, Waltoo, and various independent markets in the province. Chuene is also pushing to have his products on Shoprite’s shelves and is awaiting feedback. Quality and compliance are key to the operations. “Our mayonnaise is rigorously tested and certified. We’ve undergone HACCP and SABS training and are proud members of Proudly South African. In the food industry, compliance with regulations is essential. Non-compliance poses risks to the community,” he emphasised. Packaging is another area of focus for the brand. “Packaging represents your brand, so clear fonts, appropriate colours and accurate barcodes according to product size are crucial for efficiency during sales,” he noted.
Despite his successes, capacity remains a significant challenge. “We currently produce 500 litres daily using a blender, but we need equipment capable of producing 10,000 litres a day to meet demand,” said Chuene. The business has created an economic ripple effect in the community. “We source our ingredients locally, and even our deliveries are managed by community members. This is what I call economic transformation – circulating income within the community,” he explained. Chuene takes pride in his dedicated team, which regularly visits stores to ensure the mayonnaise is well-stocked and organises tasting events to promote the brand. “We want to ensure our customers feel connected to the product,” he said. With passion and vision, Chuene continues to honour his grandmother’s legacy while driving economic growth and culinary innovation in Limpopo.
