Meet the entrepreneurial wine makers with big dreams
Friends come together to launch Garden of Africa.
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2021/05/IMG_3142_39511-e1621236638526-780x470.jpg)
Kwa-Thema – Garden of Africa was started by two friends who wanted to create a range of wine they would buy.
The brand was launched in March by Ofentse Matsepe (23) and Azamahle Mfono (23).
Matsepe is a former Kwa-Thema resident residing in Springs.
He is a sound engineer by profession and a fan of wine, while Mfono is a qualified chef.
The pair are high school friends.
Matsepe said he studied sound engineering since music is his passion and runs within the family.
However, he had aspirations from an early age to venture into business.
He said the idea came about during the first lockdown.
“I have been attending wine tastings for years now.
“The idea has always been there; however, I didn’t have time.
“When the pandemic started everything slowed down, that’s when it happened,” explained Matsepe.
Entrepreneurs invited to a day of golf
The name of the brand, Garden of Africa, aims to represent Africa.
According to Matsepe, not many locally produced wines have a name or branding that represents Africa.
Their grapes are sourced from Stellenbosch.
They have four red wine ranges and one white wine.
“We have been selling to family and friends and the feedback has been amazing to a point where we are considering positioning our wine as premium in the market.
“I think it’s important for us to own our brands and support each other.
“I believe it is also important for us as businesses, especially black-owned businesses, to be efficient and provide quality services to our clients,” he said.