Local entrepreneur receives Shoprite funding to develop his business

Mafohlo Phoshoko, a local entrepreneur from Ga-Mothapo village outside Mankweng, was one of 36 small business owners nationwide who received a cash injection and marketing support valued at over R70 000 as part of Shoprite’s Hustle competition.
Phoshoko, the founder of SPLOO prepared still and flavoured water, entered the competition in July this year. The competition was open to all small business owners with an annual turnover of less than R1 million.
With his product Phoshoko aims to fight childhood obesity by substituting fizzy and unhealthy drinks with something a lot healthier. He hopes that the funding received from Shoprite will help him set up a water plant, buy additional equipment and expand the marketing and distribution section of his business.
He says he developed a passion for entrepreneurship in his final year of studying strategic advertising at Boston Media House in Sandton in 2011. “I fell in love with the business world and I wanted to develop something. I am glad I was able to conceptualise the idea of SPLOO,” Phoshoko said. The 29-year-old employs eight persons from his community who help him to sell and distribute the product to local shops.

Story: Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert.observer@gmail.com