Calab Baloyi Turns Retrenchment into Opportunity with Nosso Sunflower Oil

Orange Farm township is home to a thriving entrepreneurial story of resilience and innovation. Calab Baloyi, a seasoned sales professional with eight years of experience at firms like Altron Bytes, Liberty Life, and Vodacom, is now the founder of Nosso Sunflower Oil, a sunflower oil manufacturing company that also grows its raw materials right in the heart of Orange Farm.

Baloyi’s journey into entrepreneurship began two years ago, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when he was retrenched from his position as a senior sales consultant.

Instead of succumbing to the setback, he used the moment as a springboard to build a business grounded in his community. Recognizing a gap in the township market for locally produced goods, Baloyi decided to develop a product from scratch, emphasizing the importance of entrepreneurship that creates and owns value chains.

Nosso Sunflower Oil, an organic product named after his daughter Ntsako — meaning “happiness” — stands for Ntsako Organic Sunflower Oil. The company reflects Baloyi’s belief in building businesses that not only serve the community but also inspire others to move beyond reselling or acting as middlemen.

In addition to leading Nosso, Baloyi is the managing director of Tshemba-Ntsako Projects (Pty) Ltd. His dedication to township development and his commitment to sustainability are evident in his decision to grow sunflowers locally, ensuring the entire production process benefits the Orange Farm community.

Nosso Sunflower Oil has quickly gained recognition for its quality and the inspiring story behind it. By prioritizing organic farming and local production, Baloyi is setting a powerful example of how township businesses can lead in innovation, sustainability, and community impact.

Baloyi’s journey serves as a beacon of hope for aspiring entrepreneurs, proving that setbacks can pave the way for transformative success.

With Nosso Sunflower Oil, he has not only created a product but also planted the seeds for economic growth and empowerment in Orange Farm.