Vosloorus entrepreneur Thobile Sibeko believes she has been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to promote and create further awareness for her Tobs Wraps, following an invitation to join this month’s the Mzansi Food & Drink Show as an exhibitor.
Sibeko was invited to participate in the event as part of the organisers’ decision to invest in women-owned businesses in the food sector as part of their BEE initiative. She will be showcasing her delicious and healthy wraps, which came about after the breakout of the listeriosis disease.
Explains Sibeko: “I registered my business in 2018, when I was still working in the corporate world, in response to the breakout of listeriosis, which was present in those processed meats found mostly in township fast-foods. I realised that there was a big food safety gap in South African townships and decided to do something about it.”
Sibeko looked at the Mzansi fast food bread staple, the kota, and decided to create innovative wraps which would not only be tasty, but fresh and healthy too, and Tobs Wraps was born.
“My wraps are easy and quick to make; I can always serve them fresh, be in control of the quality of ingredients, ensure a safe manufacturing process and promote a much-needed healthy fast food option. I thought it would be beneficial to infuse vegetables and herbs into the wraps to offer some nutrition on-the-go since there is no product like this in the townships.
“I make my own sauces that contain ingredients such as fresh lemon, turmeric and apple cider vinegar to create unique tastes and also boost the immune system. The wraps are filled with a variety of lean meats and garnished with fresh vegetables. We recently started offering wrap platters, and we’re currently in talks to start supplying retail stores, hotels and hospitals as well as providing frozen wraps that can be used for children’s lunchboxes.”
So what can visitors to the Mzansi Food & Drink Show expect when they visit the Tobs Wraps stand?
“We are bringing our creativity to showcase the versatility of our wraps as well as some township glam to collaborate with fine dining. Visitors can expect a burst of unique flavours from our wide variety of wraps that have a range of different fillings. We have turmeric and black pepper as well as beetroot and spinach flavours and we will also be selling our plain wraps and showcasing how they can be prepared for different needs.”
Sibeko also runs a small retail outlet – Tobs Wraps Kitchen and Takeaway – from the corner of Moagi Road and Bierman Road in Vosloorus.
Tickets for the Mzansi Food & Drink Show can be booked via Howler.co.za
