THERE'S nothing like a warm cup of tea on a chilly morning. And that's exactly what Vusumzi Mokoena offers when we meet him in Kayamandi in Stellenbosch in the Western Cape. He cradles his own steaming cuppa in his hands before setting it down on the table.
"So, what do you think?" he asks eagerly.
It's no surprise he wants to know what we think. Vusi, as he's known, is the proud creator of the Mavusana Premium Rooibos Tea brand.
He's put his heart and soul into the special brew - and his efforts have paid off.
The 29-year-old entrepreneur started his business in 2021, and this year he took the second spot in the top beverages category at the Youth-Owned Brands Awards (YOBA). The YOBAS recognise and celebrate the innovation and hard work of South African youth-owned brands.
In the early days of the business, he and a friend marketed the tea door to door, but he now boasts a website where people can order online. The tea is also available at some restaurants in Stellenbosch and Cape Town.
Vusi can't believe how much can change in a year but he's by no means an overnight success.
He was unemployed when a friend asked him to research the tea-drinking habits in his community.
"I went door to door asking people about their tea-drinking preferences and that's when I realised there was a greater untouched market to tap into," he says.
Although the research gig was short-term, his findings were insightful and paved the way for his success.
"What was interesting to note was that people didn't know there are different flavours of rooibos, and 95,5% of the respondents I spoke to said the current strain of the rooibos that exists is weak" That's when he decided to brew his own blend of tea.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der 21 July 2022-Ausgabe von YOU South Africa.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der 21 July 2022-Ausgabe von YOU South Africa.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
HOW TO BE YOUR OWN THERAPIST
With more and more of us struggling with our mental health, here's a common-sense guide to coping with life's ups and downs
SPUD: THE MAGIC CONTINUES
John van de Ruit tells us why he decided to write a sequel - and shares how his first book helped him find enduring love
SEX CONTRACT GONE WRONG
A Cape Town couple have been charged with using a young woman as a sex slave-but some say she lost the job she signed up for and now has a grudge against them
LIAM LAID TO REST
More than a month after One Direction singer LIAM PAYNE (31) tragically fell to his death from a balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, his loved ones finally got to say their goodbyes.
SHILOH HANGS OUT
THE two young women look like any pair of good friends chatting and laughing as they leave their dance class in Los Angeles.
LEO IN LOVE
He's just turned 50 and it seems Leonardo DiCaprio may finally be ready to settle down
PACKING A PUNCH
Irish actor Paul Mescal beefed up for his role in the blockbuster epic Gladiator II - and fans are loving it
I DIDN'T CHOOSE TO BE A LOVE CHILD
As the illegitimate daughter of the king, she fought to be recognised as part of Belgium's royal family, but Princess Delphine says she still feels unwelcome
'I STILL HAVE NIGHTMARES'
A bite from a spitting cobra 13 years ago nearly killed her but Mikayla survived - and she's made peace with her scars
THE CLAWS ARE OUT!
Things have grown frosty between the Beckhams and the Sussexes as Becks comes out in clear support of William