Edward Molatela Kgarose, a young entrepreneur from Ga-Molepo near Polokwane, Limpopo, has turned a simple kitchen experiment into a thriving agro-processing business that is making waves across South Africa. In 2015, while waiting for dinner at home, he decided to blend sweet potato with yogurt out of curiosity. This moment of inspiration gave birth to what would eventually become Pota Yoga, a unique, sweet-potato-based drinking yogurt that now stands as a healthy and innovative alternative to traditional dairy products.
With a background in marketing and years of unemployment behind him, Kgarose launched Kgarose Kgaros (PTY) Ltd in 2016, determined to create a product that not only offered nutritional value but also brought change to his community.
Pota Yoga is rich in fibre, calcium, vitamins, and plant-based proteins, with lower sugar content compared to most store-bought options. The drink is available in several flavours including banana, strawberry, and apricot. Now, it includes non-dairy and juice variants such as pineapple and orange. Kgarose’s journey was not without obstacles, he spent over R20,000 and faced four failed lab tests before finally developing a recipe that passed safety and quality checks.
Early production was modest, with only a few hundred bottles manufactured daily, but his determination and vision soon attracted attention. In 2017, he won R50,000 on the entrepreneurship TV show “Making Moves” and later received R70,000 through the Shoprite Hustle competition. These prizes, along with recognition at the 2019 Youth in Agriculture Awards, provided crucial support for expanding his business.
Today, Kgarose employs over 100 young people from Limpopo, providing them with valuable work opportunities. His operations have expanded to include a 1,000 square metre factory in Seshego Industrial Park and additional facilities in Ladanna. The company is now preparing to process up to 720 tonnes of sweet potatoes annually, thanks to support from the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
MEC Nakedi Kekana recently visited the site, pledging continued assistance to help the business grow. Kgarose is also focused on supporting smallholder farmers, planning to offer them training in crop rotation, soil testing, and co-operative business models.
Beyond business, Kgarose’s work carries a strong social impact. His “Welcome Back to School” campaign distributed Pota Yoga to rural schools, promoting nutrition and academic motivation among learners. A new initiative called Basadi Temong is also in the works, aimed at empowering women and farmers in rural areas with practical agricultural knowledge and skills. Kgarose has become an ambassador for rural entrepreneurship, using his own story to motivate others. He frequently shares a message of self-reliance, urging young people not to wait for government assistance but to take charge of their futures.
Despite challenges such as limited funding and lack of access to formal loans, Kgarose continues to expand his operations and inspire hope. He has participated in international trade missions to countries like China, Egypt, and Tanzania, positioning Pota Yoga for potential export. His factory is preparing for industrial-scale production with advanced machinery, refrigerated trucks, and increased distribution capacity.
For Kgarose, success is not just about profit, it’s about community upliftment, innovation, and proving that even the simplest ideas, when nurtured with passion and perseverance, can lead to extraordinary impact.
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