When the world came to a halt during the Covid-19 pandemic, so too did the livelihoods of millions. For Calab Baloyi, a hard-working father from Orange Farm – a township located some 45 kilometres south of Johannesburg – the pandemic was a turning point he never saw coming.
Like many others, he found himself unemployed almost overnight, the security of his monthly income swept away by lockdowns and an economic downturn.
With little savings and even fewer options, Baloyi returned to his roots – literally and figuratively. Reflecting on his rural upbringing and the value of the land, he began considering agriculture as a path forward.
What started as a desperate idea soon took shape as a bold plan: to start farming sunflowers and produce cooking oil, a staple in South African households.
“I didn’t know much about farming, but I knew that people always need food,” Baloyi said. “And sunflower oil is used every day, in every kitchen. I saw a gap and thought, why not try?”
Armed with determination and a vision, Baloyi approached neighbours, family, and community leaders for support. He secured a small piece of land and started planting sunflowers using basic tools.
The first season was tough – marked by trial and error, water shortages, and a steep learning curve. But Baloyi remained undeterred. He attended agricultural workshops, watched countless online videos, and spoke to local farmers. Slowly, he learned how to care for his crops, how to deal with pests, and how to maximise yield.
He later invested in a small oil press machine, allowing him to extract and bottle the oil himself. By 2022, he had successfully launched Nosso-Sunflower Oil, a homegrown product named after the Portuguese word for “ours” – a nod to the community spirit behind the venture.
The oil is cold-pressed, unrefined, and packaged with pride. It’s sold at local spaza shops, markets, and directly to customers – gaining popularity not just for its quality, but for the inspiring story behind it.
What sets Baloyi apart is not just his resilience, but his commitment to giving back. As his business grew, so did his desire to uplift others. He began involving local youth in the farming process – teaching them how to plant, harvest, and understand the business side of agriculture. “Many young people here don’t believe there’s a future in farming,” he said.
“But I want to show them that we can create our own opportunities. We don’t have to wait for someone to give us a job.”
Through Nosso-Sunflower Oil, Baloyi has created part-time employment for several people in his community and is working toward scaling up to reach formal retail shelves.
He dreams of expanding his fields, acquiring more modern equipment, and one day building a small processing plant in Orange Farm.
Description: After losing his job during the Covid-19 pandemic, Calab Baloyi from Orange Farm turned adversity into opportunity by starting a sunflower farming business. Today, he produces and sells his own cooking oil brand – Nosso-Sunflower Oil – offering a powerful story of resilience, entrepreneurship, and hope.
Editor’s Note: Calab Baloyi’s journey is a powerful example of resilience in action. In a country where youth unemployment hovers at crisis levels and food insecurity affects millions, his story demonstrates how local innovation can offer real, sustainable solutions. Rather than viewing agriculture as a relic of the past, Baloyi is using it as a tool for empowerment, education, and economic growth.
Editor: Thato Mahlangu
Project Manager: Do4SA
