Vryheid KZN: Champagne or wine, anyone?

A local lass is producing her very own champagne and wine, and hopes her brand will soon be recognised countrywide.
25-year-old Lindokuhle Gumede from eDumbe has been working on her brand, Caradoc, and it’s now finally available for consumption.
She says the name Caradoc means “something lovable”, which she is also using as a slogan.
Her Caradoc has two flavours, Brut for champagne and Natural Sweet rosé for wine. Since mid-June, she has managed to sell 100 bottles, which she believes is not bad as a new brand on the market and given the fact that the sale of alcohol was banned for some time due to the Covid-19 lockdown.

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Gumede, who is still a varsity student, says regarding the inspiration behind producing her own liquor brand, “I want to make my own thing, build an empire and show other young black girls that it is possible to do anything; you do not need to be employed in order to make it in life.” Like any other aspiring entrepreneur, Gumede says hard work and dedication is what will pull you through, even though it may seem impossible at times.
She is currently selling her brand via social media, WhatsApp on 073-945-7301, Facebook – Lindokuhle Caradoc Gumede and on Instagram – lindocaradoc.
She is also supplying to selected pubs in Gauteng, as this is the province she is currently staying in and furthering her studies. She says soon it will be available at Embizo pub in eDumbe.
Her dream for her brand, “Is to have my own physical liquor stores; at least one in each province in South Africa, and I want to supply liquor stores for everyone to have easy access to my brand.”
She confirms that, “My wine and champagne is factory made and SABS tested and approved.”
“I am not where I want to be yet, but I just want to use your medium to show other girls that it is possible. I have done something for myself and they can too. I hope they are inspired and they know that all you need is to believe in yourself, be dedicated and never give up.
“In business, sometimes you do not need millions to start, but you need brains and dedication. Start small and you will eventually make those millions when you have direction and dedication. The little you start with should be a stepping stone to getting you where you want to be. Coming from rural areas does not mean you cannot dream and it does not mean you cannot achieve what you aspire to achieve; it is all in the mind,” says Gumede.

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