…milk processing firm eyes Zimbabwean market
By Harry Taruva and Delicious Mathuthu
A Botswana company specialising in donkey milk products is contemplating on setting up a processing plant in Zimbabwe, failure in which, export processed donkey milk products to the country.
The company, Takuwa Natural Products, a name inspired by a University of Botswana Analytical Chemist Specialist and Research Scientist, Dr. David Takuwa, specialises in donkey milk foods, cosmetics and medicinal products.
A local Zimbabwean publication, The Chronicle, reports that the company is looking to establish a “donkey milk value-addition production base” in Zimbabwe.
Takuwa Natural Products Operations Manager, Taolo Sesupo, speaking to the publication at the 2023 Global Expo Botswana, said they have received several online enquiries from Zimbabwe on their products.
He said the company is currently looking for potential partners to set up a manufacturing plant in Zimbabwe if the raw materials can be sourced locally.
“We focus mainly on donkey milk products and natural herbs. For now we are into soaps and cosmetics.
“In recent years we’ve had huge interest for our products from different countries including Zimbabwe and South Africa. We have more requests on our website and social media to expand supplies to Zimbabwe.
“So, we want an investor or someone who can partner with us to actually make the products in Zimbabwe or export them locally to Zimbabwe.
“Should we find the raw materials in Zimbabwe, we can actually open another plant there to cater for the market in Zimbabwe and beyond,” Sesupo is quoted having said.
The Chronicle reports that while Zimbabwe has a large herd of donkeys mainly for draught power by farmers, the country generally does not consume any donkey milk or meat-related products.
In spite of that, Sesupo however says donkey milk has many health benefits thats why his company ventured into processing the product and invested in its research.
“… donkey milk does not contain any bacteria and is whiter with low fat content but tastes a little bit sweeter than cow’s milk. Their research has shown that donkey milk contains major amino acids that are good for the cardiovascular system, treatment of thrombosis and fighting colds.
“It is also rich in vitamins and minerals that nourish the skin and help maintain its elasticity.
“Donkey milk contains high levels of lysozyme, an enzyme with antimicrobial properties that may contribute to healthier skin.
It is also believed to help soothe skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and acne,” Sesupo informed The Chronicle.
He said they started researching on donkey milk around 2016 starting with soap which they later included elements such as crude aloe vera and avocados so that nutritional content of the product is increased.
He said at the center of the research is University of Botswana’s Dr. Takuwa.
“We did this with the technical assistance from Dr. Takuwa from the University of Botswana hence we named the products after him as a way of honouring him or praising him for the assistance he rendered,” Sesupo told The Chronicle.
Donkey milk products, as Sesupo said, has shown that they work so well on all skin types across all races as it boosts immunity.
He said Donkey milk has higher nutritional value such as amino acids and omegas, which are good for the cardiovascular system as well as iron, calcium and potassium.
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