Broadcaster and Businesswoman Selloane Stella Sebalo, who started Stella's Gourmet Chilli because of her love for chilli, brings the heat worldwide with her delightful chilli products.
Her journey with broadcasting began in 1996 at Radio Mafisa in Rustenburg. This altered her life forever since her talent was discovered. "In October 1997, I found an almost permanent home when Mr Danny Motaung, the late Mr Pagiel Kgaswe, and Mr Kegeletswe Peter Tabile spotted my talent. It’s been an on-and-off relationship that moulded me to be where I am right now,” she said.
Since then, Stella has worked both on TV and Radio. Her media experience dates back to the days of Bop TV as a News Reader. She then moved to Channel Africa as News Reader and was part of the defunct 24hrs news channel known as SABC News International as a Bulletin Editor. Selloane later found her way back to MotswedingFM in 2010, where she had an opportunity to learn more about Radio Production.
In addition to focusing on her career as a broadcaster, she also developed entrepreneurial abilities due to growing up in a household where selling was a way of life. As she matured and realised no guarantee in the 'employment' sector, Sebalo started her Stella's Gourmet Chilli business.
Stella’s Gourmet Chilli is a one-year-old chilli business that process and packages chilli products. Her love of chilli inspired the creation, and her range includes sauces, crushed, and pickled flavours. "I am from a family that eats chilli, and the fact that it helps me with my stubborn metabolism and income is a great welcome. An added advantage is the prospect of growing my brand, creating jobs, and being a number one choice employer,” said Sebalo.
Stella's Gourmet Chilli is one of over 200 companies showcased at the 11th Annual Proudly SA Buy Local Summit & Expo on 27 - 28 March 2023 at the Sandton Convention Centre. The event aims to promote localisation to expand the economy and generate employment opportunities. She made influential contacts at the event and received information that assisted her business concerning presenting her product, specifically at momentous events such as the summit. “It was an eye-opener. The summit also showed me that women support each other out there," she said.
People have supported her business since they know that chilli helps reduce lifestyle diseases, including some cancers and stomach ulcers. To get her products on store shelves, Sebalo sells her chilli products from the boot of her car. The aim is to become one of the leading chilli brands in the industry. Stella’s Gourmet Chilli is now establishing distributors in more areas, and is now they are available in Rustenburg, Brits, Zeerust, and Mahikeng.
The businesswoman and broadcaster, committed to empowering both men and women in her community, closed with an empowering side remark: “Never underestimate your idea, no matter how silly or small you might think it is. Nurture it, and you don't know what it might bring you. Don't forget to put in the work. An idea will remain just that if you don't work," she concluded.
