Limpopo’s Ecovado Wins Food Lover’s Market Seeds of Change 2026 Competition
Limpopo’s Ecovado Wins Food Lover’s Market Seeds of Change 2026 Competition. A rural avocado processing business from Limpopo has been named the winner of the Food Lover’s Market Seeds of Change 2026 enterprise development programme, securing additional business support as it prepares to expand into retail.
Ecovado, based in Dovheni village and co-founded by husband-and-wife team Hulisani Mabugana and Hulisani Mudau, claimed the top honour after competing against other finalists during the programme’s bootcamp and final pitching event in Cape Town.
The announcement followed a week-long development programme, where the top 10 social entrepreneurs received business training before presenting their businesses to a panel of Food Lover’s Market executives and specialists during the Fertile Ground Pitch Day.
All Day Jam, founded by Gontse Selaocoe, and Miracle Meel, founded by Minnie Brink, were named among the top three finalists.
Food Lover’s Market created the Seeds of Change initiative to help emerging South African food entrepreneurs strengthen their businesses and prepare for growth within the retail sector. Participants receive guidance in areas including business development, product refinement, retail readiness and pitching.
Ecovado was established to address a challenge faced by many small-scale avocado growers in rural Limpopo. According to the company, avocado trees are common across households in the region, but lower-grade fruit that does not meet fresh produce market requirements often has limited commercial value.
The business processes locally grown avocados into avocado oil and related products, creating an alternative market for fruit that might otherwise go unsold. By manufacturing products close to where the avocados are produced, Ecovado aims to reduce waste while supporting local farmers and creating employment opportunities within the community.
“Ecovado is more than a food business. It is a vehicle for rural economic development and empowerment,” said co-founder Hulisani Mabugana.
She said the recognition demonstrates the potential for rural businesses to build manufacturing enterprises that add value to local agricultural products while supporting employment.
As part of the prize, Ecovado will receive continued mentorship and business support through the Seeds of Change programme. According to Food Lover’s Market, this includes guidance on packaging, branding, quality systems, retail readiness and customer development.
The retailer also confirmed that Ecovado products will become available in Food Lover’s Market stores.
Andrew Millson, Executive for People and Sustainability at Food Lover’s Market, said Ecovado reflects the objectives of the programme by combining local food innovation with rural economic development.
He said the business demonstrates how value-added agricultural production can reduce waste, create opportunities for farmers and contribute to local manufacturing while bringing South African-made products to consumers.
