A Welsh chocolate company, Bantu Chocolate, has sparked debate after it was revealed that the business may not be as Welsh as originally thought. Despite receiving a £10,000 grant and glowing coverage in Welsh media, Bantu has been operating with a different background than initially portrayed.
The company, headed by 32-year-old Veronique Mbida, is registered in Bedlinog, Treharris, in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. However, investigations have shown that Bantu’s origins are not as Welsh-centric as previously assumed. Previous reports from sources like the Guardian and Forbes highlighted that the chocolate was made in London using cocoa beans from Cameroon, Ms Mbida’s home country.
Further scrutiny revealed that Bantu’s connection to Wales was primarily administrative, with its accountants, Grant and Tracey Hutton, being based in Bedlinog. The couple, who manage several businesses registered at their address, clarified that Bantu is not a Welsh business but merely registered in Wales for administrative purposes.
When contacted, Ms Mbida emphasised that while her company is based in Wales, she does not identify as Welsh. She operates as a brand manager, frequently moving between locations for work, including a trading address that varies depending on her whereabouts.
Upon investigation, the entrepreneurship charity Hatch Enterprise, responsible for the grant, admitted an oversight in labelling Bantu as a Welsh business. The charity assured that despite the error, all businesses awarded funding were deserving, with Bantu recognised for its mission to combat slavery in the chocolate supply chain.
In light of the confusion, Ms Mbida expressed her intent to address the misrepresentation with Hatch. Despite the discrepancy in its portrayal, Bantu is focused on future growth, with plans to invest in website enhancements, visual content, and new product lines to broaden its customer reach.
Hatch, a charity supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs, acknowledged the need to improve its processes to prevent similar inaccuracies in the future. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of accurately representing businesses and their origins, especially in a diverse and globally connected market.