Every successful food brand starts somewhere.
Sometimes it begins with a family recipe. Sometimes it starts with a passion for cooking. And sometimes, it begins with a leap of faith and a determination to keep going when the odds seem stacked against you.
For Yolande Buckley, founder of Simply Deli, that journey has taken her from years spent perfecting recipes in the kitchen to seeing her products stocked on SPAR shelves across South Africa.
Her story is also a powerful example of how the SPAR Supplier Development Programme is helping local entrepreneurs turn small businesses into sustainable brands capable of competing in the retail market.
A Journey Built on Passion and Persistence
Buckley’s culinary career stretches back almost five decades, but a defining moment arrived in 2003.
In an extraordinary act of mentorship, her former employer gifted her the entire Thanda Bantu Catering business. The opportunity provided a foundation from which she could build her own future and develop the skills that would later shape her next venture.
Years later, drawing on decades of experience, Buckley began reimagining how her food could reach more people.
“It was a moment of having to reinvent the wheel,” she explains.
In 2020, she started developing and refining her own recipes, experimenting with flavours, techniques and products that could move beyond the catering industry and into South African homes.
The result was Simply Deli, officially launched in 2021.
Today, the proudly South African brand produces a range of cook-in sauces and marinades designed to make everyday cooking easier, faster and more enjoyable.
The Challenge Facing Many Small Businesses
Creating a great product is one thing.
Getting it onto retail shelves is another challenge entirely.
For many entrepreneurs, access to major retail markets remains one of the biggest barriers to growth. Without the right support, even the most promising products can struggle to reach consumers.
This is where the SPAR Supplier Development Programme is making a meaningful difference.
The initiative is designed to help micro and small businesses develop the skills, knowledge and systems needed to compete successfully in the retail environment.
Opening Doors to Growth
Through the programme, suppliers receive practical support in critical areas such as food safety compliance, certification, product testing, packaging requirements and labelling standards.
Most importantly, entrepreneurs gain access to SPAR’s extensive retail network, creating valuable opportunities to place their products in front of consumers nationwide.
“For a growing brand such as ours, being associated with a retailer like SPAR is incredibly valuable,” says Buckley.
“It’s been a turning point in my journey. It’s helped me align Simply Deli with retail requirements and not just product quality, but consistency, packaging and scalability.”
The programme provides more than technical support. It helps small businesses understand what it takes to operate successfully within a competitive retail ecosystem.
Growing Businesses, Growing Communities
At the heart of SPAR’s Supplier Development Programme is a simple idea: when small businesses succeed, communities benefit too.
South Africa’s small business sector is expected to play a vital role in economic growth and job creation. According to the National Development Plan, small enterprises could generate up to 90% of the country’s projected 11 million jobs by 2030.
That makes supplier development far more than a business initiative. It is an investment in economic inclusion and community development.
“Entrepreneurship has the power to shift the dial on many of South Africa’s socio-economic challenges,” says a SPAR spokesperson.
“By equipping suppliers with the right tools and knowledge, we are helping them build sustainable businesses that can thrive within their communities.”
More Choice for Consumers
For shoppers, the benefits are equally significant.
Supporting local suppliers means greater access to proudly South African products crafted with care and authenticity. Every purchase contributes to the growth of local businesses and the people behind them.
As consumers increasingly seek quality, convenience and local innovation, brands such as Simply Deli are well positioned to meet that demand.
The Next Chapter for Simply Deli
Buckley believes the partnership with SPAR has transformed how she approaches her business.
“Overall, it has changed how I approach my business from a retail perspective,” she says.
“It has positioned me to grow within the SPAR ecosystem and alongside other SPAR suppliers and retailers. The SPAR network is filled with the very best people doing some amazing things in their stores and their communities.”
With demand continuing to grow for convenient cooking solutions, Simply Deli is focused on helping South Africans create flavourful meals with ease.
“We are committed to delivering products that help people create delicious meals quickly and easily, whether at home, on holiday or sharing time with family and friends,” Buckley concludes.
From developing recipes in her kitchen to building a brand found on retail shelves, Buckley’s story is a reminder that talent, perseverance and the right support can transform a dream into a thriving business.
And for many aspiring entrepreneurs, it proves that the next success story may already be simmering on the stove.
