7 Amazing Black-Owned Businesses in South Africa

Katherine Pannell | 13 June 2020

Starting a business from the ground up is hard enough in itself. Doing it when a whole system is working against you is even more inspiring. So this post is dedicated to some truly incredible humans who have founded businesses that deserve every bit of your attention. Today I will be highlighting businesses that provide some awesome skincare and haircare products, restaurants that will make you drool, and coffee that you just can’t get enough of! Next time you run out of face cream or are craving wholesome food, I would encourage you to check out these amazing black-owned businesses in South Africa. 

Photograph from @khadimscoffee

Food & Coffee

Khadim’s Coffee Shop

68 Church St, Cape Town City Centre

Khadim’s Coffee Shop is a wonderful homage to a traditional Senegalese drink, Café Touba. This soul-warming concoction is made up of coffee beans and is flavoured with Guinea pepper or grains of Selim. The mixture is crushed and then prepared similar to a pour-over brew method. I had the pleasure the tasting this magical coffee at the Cape Town Coffee Festival and it is a truly unique experience. Think intense coffee combined with a peppery twist to make you re-think your “spiced” lattes. 

Department of Coffee

158 Ntlazane Rd, Village 1 South, Cape Town

While we’re talking about coffee, let’s chat about the three men brewing up a storm in Khayelitsha. Vusumzi, Wongama, and Vuyile are the incredible people behind the first township-based artisan coffee shop! They also give back to the community by supporting local crèches with muffin runs. With a mission to make delicious coffee accessible to all, these fine men have spearheaded a coffee culture in the heart of Khayelitsha. I also had the pleasure of tasting their coffee at the Cape Town Coffee Festival and beyond just a wonderful cup of coffee, the latte art left me grinning from ear to ear.

Photograph from @khadimscoffee

Photograph from Department of Coffee

Photograph from @sihlesbrew_coffee

Sihle’s Brew

Shop C15, Northview Shopping Centre, Northworld Johannesburg

If you’re looking for some new coffee beans, this is your place! Sihle’s Brew was born from Sihle Magubane’s passion for coffee. After training at the Ciro Coffee Academy, he was armed with an International Barista Certificate and ready to take on the industry. He was a valued barista and trainer for a decade before he decided to launch his own brand, and you can now catch these awesome beans at the Barista Love shop at the Northview Shopping Centre.

Madam Taitou

77 Long St, Cape Town City Centre

If you’re a fan of Ethiopian food and are fond of intimate settings with an eclectic mix of decor, then this is perfect for you. Prepare to be transported to a new world when you step into this restaurant packed full of vintage items and African artefacts. With a range of dishes that are all delicious, you can’t go wrong with Madam Taitou. The warm setting and authentic food make for a truly unforgettable experience!

Skincare & Haircare

O’live Handmade Soaps

196 Victoria Road, Woodstock

This dynamic husband and wife duo of Sipho and Zikhona Tefu has completely transformed my view of soaps. Their products smell incredible, are all made with natural and high-quality ingredients, and are nothing short of a work of art. Zikhona and Sipho built their business from scratch in the hopes of helping their daughter’s eczema and moving towards a more natural lifestyle. O’live has grown to offer more than just their luxury soaps and has even launched a men’s grooming collection. My partner has actually tried their shaving soap and beard oil, and while I can’t speak for him, I certainly liked the results!

Photograph from @olivehandmandesoaps

Photograph from @olivehandmandesoaps

Photograph from @olivehandmandesoaps

Suki Suki Naturals

Can usually be found at Woolworths and Wellness Warehouse.

Are you looking for the next self-care product to make you feel like an absolute goddess? Suki Suki could be a great place to start your search. With their harm-free ingredients that feature powerful natural remedies like Prickly Pear and Papaya, you will be looking and feeling like a queen. This amazing brand was born from Linda Gieskes-Mwamba and her desire to treat her hair with nothing but the best. She found that all the other options on the market were either full of chemicals or unnecessarily expensive, and so passion and expertise came together to form Suki Suki Naturals. While they have many different products, I personally swear by their Jasmine Lip Treatment and use it every night so that I wake up each morning with silky smooth lips.

Photograph from @sukisukinaturals

Photograph from @sukisukinaturals

NativeChild

Is available at most Pick n Pay stores, as well as other stockists around South Africa.

NativeChild is a brand that was created to serve women of colour and offer affordable products made from natural and sustainable ingredients. They are animal cruelty-free and choose not to use any harsh chemicals in their products. The founder, Sonto Pooe, served as a council member for the Society of Cosmetic Chemists and this range of products has been developed from years of experience and careful consideration. While I haven’t personally tried their products, I think that offering high-quality items at an affordable price is something to be celebrated.

Photograph from @nativechild.co

Photograph from @nativechild.co

So now that we are at the end, I want to stress that this list of black-owned businesses is by no means the extent of it. There are so many amazing people who deserve your support and I only hope that this list gives you a starting point to support more black-owned companies and brands. Whether it is through cosmetic brands, homeware, or even fashion, there are is an abundance of ways you can show your support. If you know of any other amazing black-owned businesses in South Africa, please feel free to drop their names in the comments. 

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.