POLOKWANE – Katlego Komana is bringing a youthful flair to coffee brewing.
The 23-year-old from Mankweng Unit C, is the founder of Kay Holdings, the Limpopo Business Club and her recent project, Kay Coffee. Her path to coffee brewing, however, took a slight detour into the wine industry.
She explained that dining with friends and relatives inspired her decision to tap into the market and that research has shown that there are too few female, black-owned wine brands. She sources ethically produced products from artisans in Africa, as well as organic and natural wines from independent winemakers with admirable stories. After establishing herself in the industry, she decided to set her sights on the coffee industry when she founded Kay Coffee.
“My love for coffee inspired me to tap into the market. We source our coffees from around the world, but need to be traceable to where they are farmed. These are speciality coffees and are roasted by the company itself,” she explained.
Some of the challenges Katlego faces is gaining access to the market, pricing strategies, funding as well as sustainability. She believes in being multi-careered, which drives her and serves as the spice of her life. She intends to continue to take on new challenges and opportunities for growth and exposure.
Her message to other young people is straightforward: “Believe in yourself, work smart and trust in God; for His plans are always greater than yours, a scripture from Jeremiah 29:11 that I live by”.
