The people behind each jar
At Cumato, the work starts long before a jar is sealed. It begins with farm visits, careful sorting, recipe checks, label details and courier planning, all handled by people who know that good food depends on good timing. Based in Paarl, the team keeps things straightforward and hands-on, with each member taking responsibility for a clear part of the process.
Founded in 2011, the business has grown through steady relationships with local growers and customers who want dependable stock, thoughtful gift options and preserve products that suit everyday cooking. The team works across Paarl, Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Somerset West and further afield, with nationwide delivery arranged by courier to Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Gqeberha.
- Local farm sourcing and seasonal ingredient selection
- Small-batch production and packing
- Courier fulfilment for retail, gifts and bulk orders
- Customer support for online and custom enquiries
Marius van der Merwe, managing director
Marius oversees the overall direction of Cumato and keeps the business grounded in practical decisions. He works closely with the team on planning, stock flow and customer requirements, making sure the products stay true to the kind of preserve people want in the kitchen and on the table. He is the person who keeps a close eye on the bigger picture, while still knowing the detail that matters.
In a business that handles online orders, gift boxes, corporate gifting and hospitality supply, Marius makes sure each part fits the next. His approach is simple: keep the quality consistent, source carefully and make the service easy for customers to work with.
Production and sourcing in steady hands
Lindiwe Ndlovu, Production Manager leads the day-to-day making and packing of the preserves. She keeps production organised, checks consistency and watches the pace of the work so orders are filled properly. In a food business, the rhythm of the prep room matters and Lindiwe makes sure the team stays on track, even when courier cut-offs are tight or the week gets busy.
Jaco Smit, Farm Sourcing Lead spends much of his time working with growers and checking which farms can supply the right produce for the season. He looks for tomatoes and pickles that suit the finished product, then keeps communication clear with suppliers. His role is about trust, timing and knowing which harvests will give the right flavour and texture.
- Lindiwe manages production flow, packing and batch planning
- Jaco handles farm relationships and ingredient sourcing
- Together they support stock levels for seasonal and bulk orders
The customer and sales side
Ayesha Khan, Sales Coordinator handles enquiries, order details and product requests from customers who need a quick response and a clear answer. She works with online orders, stockist enquiries, subscription boxes and corporate gifting, making sure the right information reaches the right person. Ayesha is often the first point of contact for customers who want to plan ahead for events or regular supply.
Siphesihle Dlamini, Customer Care Consultant looks after the follow-up side of the experience. He helps customers with order updates, delivery questions and general support through the enquiry form. His role is to keep communication calm and useful, especially when someone is ordering for a wedding, a function or a business that needs timing to be right. People appreciate straight answers and he gives them without fuss.
Recipe development and fulfilment
Marli Botha, Recipe Development Lead focuses on the flavour side of the range. She works with the team on how the preserves taste with toast, cheese, roasted vegetables, cold meats, sandwiches and warm dishes, using general cooking knowledge and practical kitchen testing. Marli pays attention to balance, texture and how each product can be used at home or in catering. Sometimes a small adjustment makes all the difference, especially when a preserve needs to work in more than one setting.
Thabo Molefe, Courier Fulfilment Supervisor makes sure packed orders are ready for collection and sent out cleanly. He checks label accuracy, box arrangement and dispatch timing so parcels move efficiently from Paarl to the rest of the country. When load-shedding or busy courier schedules put pressure on the day, Thabo keeps the dispatch side orderly and that helps everyone else stay on schedule.
- Recipe testing for home cooking, gifting and hospitality use
- Order packing for local and nationwide delivery
- Careful dispatch checks for gift boxes, hampers and bulk cartons
A local team with national reach
From the outside, a jar of preserve looks simple. Behind it, there is farm coordination, production planning, customer communication and courier work that all needs to line up. Cumato’s team in Paarl handles that process with care, from the first enquiry on the contact page to the moment an order leaves for a home, shop or event venue.
Whether the order is for a few jars, a seasonal hamper or hospitality supply, the people behind Cumato bring practical experience and steady attention to detail. That is what keeps the work moving across the Western Cape and beyond, with each team member doing their part properly.
Clients looking for online orders, bulk orders, wedding orders or stockist enquiries can reach the team through the enquiry form on the contact page. It is a simple way to get the right person involved from the start.