The collaboration between Pineut and Salu in South Africa

Creating jobs and making an impact – sounds like a dream, right?

What began as an ambition between Marlies and Martha has grown into a concrete and successful project. Pineut, a Dutch company that creates opportunities for people distanced from the labour market through DIY products like baking mixes and drinks, caught Martha’s attention in South Africa. With Marlies’ support, she founded Salu – turning an inspiring idea into reality.

Pineut’s Role: Sharing Knowledge and Resources

Marlies supported Martha in many ways to help Salu find its footing. We shared recipes and work instructions to ensure production ran smoothly, provided guidance on setting up efficient processes, and helped connect Salu with the right suppliers.

To give the company a strong start, Pineut even arranged the transport of their first bottles and ingredients (at cost price). The road wasn’t always easy – deliveries could take months. But perseverance paid off. After one particularly long wait, Martha messaged us:

“Nearly three months, but it’s here! Thank you so much for your help with the bottles.”

Success stories straight from South Africa

We regularly receive updates from Martha via WhatsApp about Salu’s growth and impact:

“Salu was invited (very last minute) to join KamersMakers in Stellenbosch… such a popular market! Since then, things have really taken off – we can hardly keep up!”

Moments like these remind us just how powerful knowledge-sharing can be. A small push in the right direction can create an enormous ripple effect.

A team with a mission
Today, Salu employs four part-time staff. Two work through Volmoet Leadership, an organisation that supports young people in their development. The other two come from the Camphill School, which provides education and guidance to young people with disabilities. Their contribution – from labelling to hands-on support – plays an essential role in the production process.

Martha: the driving force behind Salu
Although Pineut has been closely involved, Salu is very much Martha’s company. A determined entrepreneur, she has visited our production house to learn the ropes and our office to deepen her knowledge. Her perseverance and enthusiasm are truly contagious, and we’re proud to have played a part in her journey.

Building a better future together

For us, this collaboration is so much more than a project. It embodies what Pineut stands for: creating opportunities, sharing knowledge, and helping people make an independent impact. Together, we’re building a brighter future – bottle by bottle, label by label.