A Kayamandi resident has started his own tea brand, with the hopes of making rooibos tea more localised and affordable.
This was according to Vusumzi Mokoena, the owner and founder of Mavusana Premium Rooibos. Mokoena founded the business with the aspiration of making it the go-to tea brand in the country.
“I wish for people to go, ‘I feel like a cup of Mavusana rooibos now,’” said Mokoena.
Mokoena told MatieMedia that the business has sold over 300 boxes of the tea since starting the brand in February. “It’s been crazy, honestly. [I] cannot believe it,” said Mokeona.
Mavusana rose to instant fame after Mokoena tweeted about his business on 10 August. Various publications, such as IOL and Cape Town Etc, have since reported on his success.
Vusumzi Mokoena began Mavusana Premium Rooibos in February. He holds a full-time job at a pharmacy in town, and runs Mavusana as a side-business. Mokoena hopes to have Mavusana on all major retail outlet’s shelves one day. PHOTO: Supplied/Vusumzi Mokoena
The inspiration behind starting a tea business was rooted in Mokoena’s upbringing. “I grew up in a household where rooibos tea was the only drink we indulged in – from my grandmother to my mother,” said Mokoena.
The direct translation of Mavusana is “the one who builds”, according to Mokoena.
“It is a very common name in South Africa. If someone assists you, one could say ‘you are such a mavusana’, which is why I found it suitable for my brand,” said Mokoena.
Mokoena told MatieMedia that he works at a local pharmacy. He was asked by a flavoured rooibos tea brand to engage in market research in the local community, to establish their tea-drinking habits.
Through his market research, Mokoena said that he began to “understand how many people love rooibos in our country, but do not have a certain brand which they associate with. And that’s how Mavusana began.”
Siyabulela Dase, a business partner in Mavusana Premium Rooibos, delivers Mavusana tea to a customer in Stellenbosch. “Delivering tea and making people happy makes me happy,” said Dase. PHOTO: Erin Walls
“I have always been a commerce guy…always trying to identify opportunities,” said Mokoena.
While Mavusana Premium Rooibos was founded by Mokoena, he now works alongside a business partner, Siyabulela Dase.
“Mokoena had this great [business] idea, and I thought I should work with him,” said Dase.
Both Mokoena and Dase go door-to-door together to deliver the tea to customers. “Selling tea to people in our community has been a lot of fun, and we get warm responses,” said Dase.
“Rooibos is rich in its history, in our country and in my family, on a personal note. I am proud to be a part of that more than ever,” said Vusumzi Mokoena, the owner and founder of Mavusana Premium Rooibos. PHOTO: Erin Walls
The response from the community has been a driving force for Mokoena. “From the people in the community, on the ground, and old ladies enjoying my tea with their friends, it is inspiring. I am doing something meaningful,” said Mokoena.
Mokoena hopes that in the near future, Mavusana will be stocked nationally and internationally.
“As a municipality, we work hard to create an enabling environment where businesses can flourish. We are very excited to hear about this new local start-up,” said Stuart Grobbelaar, spokesperson for Stellenbosch Municipality, about Mavusana Premium Rooibos. “We always encourage all residents, visitors and students to support local,” he added.
Vusumzi Mokoena, the owner and founder of Mavusana Premium Rooibos, has sold over 300 boxes of tea since starting in February. AUDIO: Vusumzi Mokoena