Staff Reporter
DOVHENI VILLAGE – A visionary entrepreneur from Limpopo has launched a groundbreaking avocado oil production facility in Dovheni village outside Thohoyandou, marking a major milestone for rural industrialisation and job creation in the Vhembe District.
The facility, Ecovado, is the brainchild of Hulisani Mudau, a local entrepreneur who saw potential where others saw waste. The factory manufactures avocado oil and seed powder from unripe avocados — turning what was once discarded produce into valuable commodities.
Mudau said the idea for Ecovado was inspired by years of watching local avocados go to waste due to the lack of processing infrastructure.
“Growing up here, I always saw potential. We have an abundance of avocados but no value addition. I wanted to change that — to create jobs and income for people in my own community,” he said.
The state-of-the-art facility can process up to 100 tons of avocados a day and has already created over 20 permanent jobs for local residents, with plans to expand to more than 100 jobs as operations grow.
Unlike many large agro-processors, Ecovado prioritises small-scale farmers and household growers. The company has introduced a “fruit-for-cash” system, allowing residents to sell even a few avocados directly to the factory and get paid immediately.
“Even if someone has only one or two trees, they can bring their avocados — by wheelbarrow or plastic bag — and get paid. Everyone can benefit,” Mudau explained.
The launch event, attended by local leaders and farmers, was hailed as a turning point for rural development. Collins Chabane Municipality Mayor Cllr Shadrack Maluleke praised the project as “a new dawn” for the region and pledged the municipality’s support for initiatives that stimulate local economic growth.
“This project will change lives by creating opportunities and ensuring our fruit trees alleviate poverty, not waste,” said Maluleke.
Ecovado’s operations align with South Africa’s Rural Industrialisation Strategy, promoting agro-processing and SMME growth in rural areas. Beyond producing cooking oil, the factory also extracts avocado seed powder used in food preparation and health products.
The company has reportedly secured an export deal with Italy, a major breakthrough that will connect Dovheni village to international markets.
Mudau said his long-term goal is to diversify Ecovado’s offerings into cosmetic and wellness products derived from avocado oil.
“This is only the beginning. We want Ecovado to be a proudly South African brand that shows the world rural innovation can be world-class,” he said.
As the first bottles of avocado oil rolled off the production line, community members cheered — a symbol of local pride, hope, and progress.
Ecovado is not just producing avocado oil; it is producing opportunity, proving that with vision and determination, even the smallest village can make a global impact.
