The early days
A tradition that started at home
Atchar was, and continues to be, part of everyday meals in Mamvuka, a village in Venda. Muofhe grew up in a home where her family operated a tuckshop. During mango season, she and her grandmother used mangoes from the village's orchards to prepare mango atchar.
Alongside magwinya, bread and other everyday foods, they sold the atchar to students and teachers from nearby schools, as well as members of the surrounding community. These early experiences introduced Muofhe to food production, customer service and the importance of maintaining consistent quality.
Over time, the family noticed that the quality of the atchar they were producing had begun to decline, which negatively affected the business. This sparked Muofhe's curiosity and motivated her to understand how atchar could be produced more efficiently, safely and consistently.
Curiosity became knowledge
Despite financial constraints, Muofhe persuaded her family to support her decision to pursue a degree in Agricultural Development and Extension. Through her studies, she developed a deeper understanding of agriculture, food production and the processes required to build a sustainable agro-processing business.
Her commitment to learning did not stop there. Throughout her entrepreneurial journey, Muofhe continued investing in her professional development and obtained an NQF Level 8 qualification in Enterprise Management and an NQF Level 3 qualification in Food and Beverage Packaging Operations.
She also completed specialised training in HACCP, food safety, food handling, entrepreneurship and leadership. These qualifications and areas of training have strengthened her ability to manage food quality, production processes, packaging operations and the continued growth of Oumie's Grande.
The business takes shape
In January 2021, Muofhe began an Agri-Development internship with AB InBev (SAB). The opportunity allowed her to gain practical experience while saving money to launch her own business.
After years of consistency, patience and passion, Oumie's Grande was officially launched in 2021. The business was named in honour of Muofhe's grandmother, “Oumie”, whose influence and traditional atchar-making knowledge played an important role in the brand's beginnings.
Today, Oumie's Grande operates in Limpopo and Gauteng and continues to grow as a proudly South African agro-processing business. The brand remains rooted in family tradition while applying agricultural knowledge, food-safety practices and professional business management to produce authentically crafted atchar.
