Ubombo Sugar Limited is part of the Illovo Sugar Africa Group, a leading producer of sugar and downstream products. Situated in the south-east of Eswatini’s Lowveld, Ubombo Sugar is the oldest sugar mill in the country. Illovo has a 60% share in Ubombo Sugar Limited, with 40% of shares held by Tibiyo Taka Ngwane. Ubombo Sugar comprises of one agricultural estate, factory, and refinery and specializes in milling and producing raw, refined, and specialty sugar products for retail consumption and industrial use.
Ubombo Sugar Limited, situated adjacent to the Usuthu River in the south-east of Eswatini, annually produces approximately 250 000 tons of sugar. It is one of three sugar producers in the country whose combined total sugar output of approximately 670 000 tons is marketed and distributed by the Eswatini Sugar Association (ESA).
Ubombo manages 23 418 hectares of land, and of that 11 648 is area under cane. Ubombo Sugar Limited is the first to export electricity to the national grid and the Ubombo Sugar estate. The company employs at least 2 500 permanent and seasonal employees annually and further provides indirect employment through outsourced operations.
Ubombo Ranches was formed as a partnership between South African Lawyer, Carl Todd and Hendrik van Eck.
Beginning of beef cattle ranching and irrigated crop production.
The first sugar cane plant material was sourced from South Africa.
Ubombo Ranches partnered with United Plantations to construct 40km canal for irrigation purposes.
Ubombo ranches planted the first commercial sugarcane crop.
Ubombo Ranches purchased and erected a small second-hand mill and produced the first sugar in August 1958.
Ubombo Ranches constructed a new mill for sugar production and obtained a 40 000 ton sugar quota from South Africa.
Lonrho Sugar bought Ubombo Ranches. A partnership with King Sobhuza II was formed, through which 40% of Ubombo was passed onto Tibiyo Taka Ngwane in exchange for the development of Tibiyo land for the mill.
Cane growing commenced at Sivunga farm.
Development of local schools.
Ubombo started integrating small farmers on Swazi Nation Land into the industry, resulting in notable developments for Siphofaneni town and surrounding areas.
Ubombo completes the construction of a 25000 ton refined sugar conditioning silo, funded by the European Union for Eswatini Sugar Association.
Ubombo creates Eswatini’s first conservancy.
Illovo Sugar purchased Lonrho Sugar. (Prior to this purchase, Lonrho Sugar managed Ubombo).
A major factory expansion and co-generation project were successfully commissioned, consequently providing support to the development of the Lower Usuthu Smallholder Irrigation Projects (LUSIP)
Eswatini Sugar Association began the construction of a new 1 ton and 50kg bagging facility and sugar warehouse at the Ubombo Sugar mill.
Official launch of the new sugar warehouse.
To meet food and energy needs for customers.
To be a leading sugar and energy business, respected for its commitment to inclusive and sustainable growth.
We consistently live our values, treat all individuals in a fair and consistent manner, as well as act in accordance with ethical guidelines and statutory requirements. We are welcomed by the communities in which we operate, are trusted by investors, and our employees are proud to work for us.
We are committed to the development of our people through the continued acquisition of new knowledge and skills. We use various methodologies to enhance the learning experience and the transfer of skills. We earn each other’s trust, provide constructive feedback and hold ourselves and others accountable for performance development.
We leverage on our diversity in order to maximize performance by actively supporting transformation initiatives. Because we value innovation, creativity and inclusion, we respect each other’s opinions and perspectives, treat people with dignity and respect, and build culturally diverse teams.
We are committed to the success of the whole and together look for ways to co-operate and support each other, even when the immediate benefit is one-way. We value strong networks and working relationships that are underpinned by teamwork, open communication, trust and respect. We invest time and other resources to build and nurture high performing teams.
We find ways to break through resistance and obstacles, and strive to seek new methods in order to continuously improve. We align our day-to-day work with the Illovo vision and strategic intent, and our objectives, action plans and commitments are delivery focused. We also engage in celebrating our achievements.