Entrepreneur Zukiswa Mnyanda has brought her grandmother’s signature ginger beer beverage to the East London community.
Taking over the metro’s streets one at a time, her fermented drink has become all the talk with many flocking to quench their thirst.
Mnyanda, 42, using her honed marketing skills, has hopes to spread her brand out from the city to the world.
Born in Mdantsane, she started at age 11 learning from grandmother Nora Mnyanda who taught her how to brew the beverage that has always been part of the family household.
It was in March 2022 when Mnyanda rolled up her sleeves and brewed her first batch for public consumption and has expanded her manufacturing space.
“Initially I made use of recycled bottles that I would sterilise and bottle the drink,” she said.
Mnyanda said her decision to focus on her family’s generational brand was taken up when she quit her job as a salesperson at a well-known corporation.
Using the skills that she had acquired for many years, she poured them into her business.
“The pressure in sales was very high and it was tough. There would be times when I would not meet the required monthly targets which would affect my salary.
“There would be times when I would not get paid. It was then that I took a decision to become self-employed and focus my energy on that,” she said.
Mnyanda said in a world where companies were increasingly downscaling, taking up her own space in the business market was a crucial move to securing her future.
While she celebrates her milestones, she has managed to acquire her own brand labelling and bottles.
“Last year, I wanted to broaden the kind of customers I serve, to spread out rapidly and to reach as many people as possible.
“I moved into purchasing bottles and my own labelling as I wanted to fit in the job market of the metro,” Mnyanda said.
Her decision has had a positive affect and has created its own brand identity for customers.
“Branding and packaging is quite expensive. People love ginger beer, so it is easily bought, which makes it better and a worthy product when it’s branded correctly,” Mnyanda said.
Making waves in the city, her ginger beer can be found at giant retailer Spar in Gonubie, markets and the Shoprite parking lot near Fleet Street. She also takes orders for functions and does office deliveries.
During peak hours from morning to early afternoon, she moves around the metro’s busiest intersections in Amalinda, near Clarendon, Cambridge and Vincent.
She carries coolers which she stores to keep her drinks cold in the boot of her car.
“The responses have been amazing and I have received feedback on the drink which has helped me position it even better,” she said.
Her business is sparked by a catalyst of sharp marketing skills, but she faced a new problem as she was told to move away from intersections especially near Clarendon.
“Most of my clientele on the roads are near the school. I am often told by law enforcement that I cannot trade there despite positive reception.
“I would appreciate alternatives that would assist me with the municipality to continue doing business and make a living for myself,” she said.
She has since moved down to the CBD where she sells her beverage.
DispatchLIVE
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