Gaborone – Lovers of the popular Mazoe drink from Coca-Cola Beverages Botswana (CCBB) can now enjoy a locally produced version of their favourite flavours as the company has started producing Mazoe Orange Crush, Blackberry, Raspberry, and Cream Soda variants in Botswana.
CCBB, a subsidiary of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa, has been importing Mazoe Orange Crush from Zimbabwe for distribution in the Botswana market. The company has now invested in local production to ensure a continued supply at a reasonable price, with additional capacity for export.
“We are confident that this will bring benefits to the Botswana economy, with job creation among other opportunities,” said David Chait, CCBB General Manager.
“The investment will allow the company to meet the demand of its ever-growing base of discerning consumers with the same top-quality Mazoe flavours. Our aim is to have the product on the market as soon as possible to allow our consumers to enjoy the rich taste of the loved Mazoe brand at an affordable price,” said Caroline Nyadzayo, Coca-Cola Frontline Portfolio Activations Manager.
The formulation of both the sugar and non-sugar products in Botswana is identical to the Zimbabwe versions, however the Botswana products are labelled in line with international Codex guidelines, while Zimbabwe uses an older system. As a result, Mazoe Orange Crush in Zambia and Botswana is labelled as having 20% juice content, while the Zimbabwe variant declares 50% juice content, despite there being the exact same formulations.
“Consumers can rest assured that the Mazoe Orange Crush produced in Botswana has the identical juice content as that from Zimbabwe, regardless of the differences on the label, which are based on a different set of labelling standards,” said Chait.
“People everywhere want new beverages and experiences throughout their day and as a subsidiary of the largest franchised bottler of The Coca-Cola Company in Africa, CCBB is innovating to give people more of what they want while actively encouraging informed choices and balanced lifestyles.
“By investing in the manufacturing and distribution of different drinks, we are also increasing local sourcing of raw materials in our market and providing our employees with new skills.
“This is part of our larger strategy to grow with conscience, making a real difference by considering both what is inside and outside our bottles, on our journey to becoming a total beverage company,” Chait said.
Mazoe Orange Crush is a product of The Coca-Cola Company that has been in existence for over 70 years and is produced under license by CCBB. It includes Mazoe Orange Light which offers the same great taste in a non-sugar variant for consumers following a managed-calorie lifestyle. Other variants include Blackberry, Raspberry and Cream Soda, a rainbow range of Mazoe Syrups bursting with flavour.
