Sometimes, a taste of home is about more than what is on a plate.

It can be a familiar ingredient, a traditional drink or something that reminds a person of where they come from.

For Fourways resident Mike Kandolo, that connection is at the heart of Diaspora Foods, a business offering wellness products inspired by the foods and natural ingredients people associate with home.

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He said the idea grew from noticing that people living away from their home countries often struggle to find familiar products. Kandolo wanted to make some of those ingredients more accessible, while giving people a way to stay connected to their roots.

Growing up in a multicultural community in the Democratic Republic of Congo, he was influenced by the relationship between food, heritage, and health. “I wanted to create products that help people stay connected to their roots, while boosting their wellness,” Kandolo said.

Diaspora Foods takes its name from the word: diaspora, which describes people living away from their ancestral or home countries. For Kandolo, the name reflects the experience of being far from home while still wanting to hold on to familiar traditions.

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The business offers hibiscus tea, moringa, and sea moss, with an emphasis on natural wellness products. Kandolo hopes people will find ways to incorporate them into their everyday routines while maintaining a connection to the cultures and traditions they know. “I hope they help people feel closer to home, even when they are far away.

“Wellness is personal, and we’re here to support that journey with products that feel like a hug from back home.”

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