Home Leadership Lesly Marange’s Glytime Foods Takes Home Top Honors at #TheListAwards
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Lesly Marange’s Glytime Foods Takes Home Top Honors at #TheListAwards

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Lesly Marange, the 35-year-old founder of Glytime Foods and his company, have been recognized as the Most Impactful Business and People-Oriented Enterprise at the prestigious #TheListAwards by Identities Media in Harare earlier this week.

This esteemed honor is a testament to Marange’s tireless efforts to drive positive change in his community.

The award is a recognition of Glytime Foods’ outstanding work in partnership with CARE Zimbabwe, which has impacted over 80,000 households in Zaka, Chivi, Buhera, and Mutare.

The company has also provided sporting uniforms and sponsorships to over 40 schools, promoted health and nutrition through wellness days, health expos, marathons, and inter-school games, and served over 300,000 meals through Glytime on the Go.

“We are extremely grateful for the recognition of Lesly Marange and the Glytime Foods team as the Most Impactful Business and People-Oriented Enterprise at the hashtag#TheListAwards by Identities Media.

“This prestigious honor validates our tireless efforts to drive positive change.

“Our work with 2,500 honey farmers across 8 districts consolidating over 100 tons of honey annually, demonstrates our commitment to empowering rural communities. 
“The Glytime Foods- Care Zimbabwe partnership, impacting 80,000 households in Zaka, Chivi, Buhera, and Mutare, further showcases our dedication to community development,” said Marange in a LinkedIn post.

This partnership started about four months ago when both companies signed a memorandum of understanding.

“Glytime recently signed an MOU with USAID Takunda implemented by a consortium led by CARE Zimbabwe at Chief Marange ‘s homestead in Marange where I was born.

“This marked a significant milestone in sustainability and collaboration to empower rural farmers in two provinces Masvingo and Manicaland Province- four districts Zaka, Chivi, Buhera and Mutare through enhanced access to markets,” said Marange in a LinkedIn post.

In a different post Marange added that Glytime Foods has made a significant impact in the lives of many families, enabling them to afford basic needs, access education, and achieve food security.

“Over the years we have seen families afford their basic needs through our efforts – kids taken to school, built houses, families being food secure among other things. Impact cannot be dramatized it takes real hard work to serve our communities.”

But who is the man behind this award-winning business?

Lesly Marange’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and innovation. Growing up in a unique environment – Khami Prisons camp, Bulawayo – Marange’s early life was marked by a passion for cooking.

Despite facing discouragement from his community and even his father, Marange’s mother encouraged him to pursue his dreams.

He went on to study food science at Chinhoyi University of Technology, where he drew inspiration from the success stories of prominent food enterprises.

During his university days, Marange started a small business from his backyard, making roasted maize.

He sold it at prison, army, and police camps, leveraging his knowledge of these institutions from his childhood.

Although his maize product was well-received, the packaging was basic. Undeterred, Marange continued to innovate and improve his products.

After completing his degree, Marange joined a sugar factory in Harare, where he quickly rose through the ranks to become the product development manager.

In this role, he developed several successful products that boosted the company’s profits. This experience gave him the confidence to start his own business, Glytime Foods, in 2018.

With an initial investment of just US$2,000, saved from his previous job, Marange launched Glytime Foods’ first product, granola, at the end of 2018.

He began making it in his own kitchen, transforming the space into a production area after preparing his family’s meals each morning.

Initially, the company could only produce 24 units of granola cereal daily. However, with the help of his team, Marange was able to increase production to meet the growing demand.

Food Lover’s Market was the first grocery chain to stock Glytime’s cereal, with an initial order of three cases.

Although it took three days to produce, Marange was thrilled to have his product on the shelves.

 A subsequent order of 15 cases posed a production challenge, but Marange was quick to adapt, initiating a night shift to meet the demand.

As Marange navigated the challenges of building a business, he also pursued an MBA at the National University of Science and Technology.

The program not only provided him with valuable knowledge and skills but also turned into an unexpected sales avenue.

Marange would bring Glytime products to his classes and sell them to his fellow students.

However, Marange’s journey to success was not without its challenges but he managed to persevere in order to build his brand to what it is today.

Glytime Foods has since become a leading brand in Zimbabwe, known for its innovative and healthy products.

The company now supplies its products to about 120 stores, including Pick n Pay, Food Lover’s Market, OK Mart, and Bon Marché, not only in Zimbabwe but Zambia and Botswana as well.

The company’s commitment to community development, empowerment, and sustainability has earned them recognition as a leader in the food industry.

Glytime Foods remains committed to Lesly Marange’s original vision of quality and community impact.

The company continues to produce its products without artificial additives, instead using the finest ingredients sourced from local producers and growers.

These partnerships support women-led apiaries, rural farmers, and ethical suppliers of nuts and fruits. As a result, Glytime Foods’ products are renowned for their authentic flavor and exceptional nutritional value.

“At the heart of Glytime Foods is our commitment to sourcing raw materials from surrounding smallholder farmer communities.

“We work with over 500,000 farmers across various value chains. Our network includes 300,900 people in small grains, 120,000 in honey production, 1,000 in heritage-based ingredients, 70,000 in oats farming, and 188,000 in non-timber forest projects.

“This network ensures a consistent supply of high-quality ingredients while supporting local economies and promoting sustainable agriculture practices,” said the company.

The company’s dedication to social responsibility has earned it a reputation for community empowerment, sustainable practices, and innovative product development.

With distribution across Zimbabwe and partnerships that impact over half a million people in the region, Glytime Foods is a leader in the food industry.

For its future plans, Glytime Foods is expanding its operations with a new manufacturing plant, product line extensions, and increased community involvement, while also working towards an 80% local supply chain strategy in preparation for the Africa Free Trade Agreement.

“As we look to the future, Glytime Foods is constructing a manufacturing plant in MSASA, expanding our “On the Go” and “Healthy Options” lines, and deepening our community involvement.

“Our 3-5 year supply chain strategy aims to achieve 80% local supply and 20% import as we prepare for the Africa Free Trade Agreement,” added the company.

Marange’s story is a testament to the power of innovation, hard work, and determination. From his humble beginnings in a prison camp to his current status as a leading entrepreneur in Zimbabwe, Marange’s journey is nothing but an inspiration to all.

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