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- Lebohang Nyandeni is the owner of business LebzCafé and coffee brand iKoffie.
- Since starting hisbusiness in 2021 during the pandemic, he has been impressed by the support he has received.
- He recently started distributing iKoffie in other parts of South Africa.
- GOOD NEWS DAY IS BACK! News24 celebrates the people restoring pride in our country. Read their stories here
Two years ago, Lebohang Nyandeni, 25, was pushing a trolley box through the streets of Vereeniging in Gauteng, selling his coffee products to people who were starting their day.
The 25-year-old entrepreneur is now selling his products in Newtown Junction mall in Johannesburg and has received recognition from major brands and public figures.
His coffee company, LebzCafé, sells a wide range of his iKoffie products, such as hot chocolate, chai lattes, 100% freeze-dried premium instant coffee and coffee beans.
Nyandeni was born and raised in the Vaal Triangle and matriculated in 2015. He then enrolled in an entrepreneurial programme at the Vaal University of Technology. His started his iKoffie product in 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Nyandeni told News24 his grandmother played a major role in his decision to start a business.
“The love I had for coffee grew when I was still staying with my grandmother because she loved it when I would make her a cup of coffee. Before starting the product, I was still confused about how to start because I did not have any capital,” Nyandeni said.
Nyadeni is seen with a customer inside AMPD studios at Newtown Mall, Johannesburg.
News24PHOTO: Alfonso Nqunjana, News24
Before starting his business, he was a motivational speaker and participated in community programmes that helped youth with business ideas.
“I started facilitating enterprise development in my community, teaching young people how to start their businesses and successfully registering their businesses. I then wanted to start my own business while still working in Maboneng. I met a barista guy on that side, and the conversation we had led me to start my own business,” Nyandeni said.
Following his encounter with the barista, he became more interested in the coffee industry and has never looked back.
He said:
Since that day, I told myself I want to do this… The barista guy taught me about the different types of coffee beans and where I can get coffee.
Nyandeni said it was challenging to start the business during the Covid-19 pandemic as it required him to import certain materials.
“It was quite difficult during the pandemic, and we had to source some of our raw materials outside South Africa, which was also challenging. We kept on pushing, and we were able to find suppliers based in Cape Town,” he added.
Nyandeni said he was proud that iKoffie was now entirely produced and roasted in South Africa.
“It excites us when we see the product being produced in South Africa because it is creating employment for young people, because unemployment is an issue.”
LebzCafé is a coffee company that offers a wide range of coffee including a 100% freeze dried premium instant coffee, coffee beans, hot chocolate, chai latte and still water.
News24PHOTO: Alfonso Nqunjana, News24
Recognition
The young barista came to prominence after being featured on DJ Fresh’s podcast and received a Gauteng Men of Valour Award, an initiative which honours men who do extraordinary things in their communities.
“Since I started my brand, I received an Unsung Heroes Award from Sunday World, and I had the opportunity to be featured on DJ Fresh and DJ Sbu’s podcasts, which meant a lot to me,” Nyandeni said.
He encouraged young people not to be scared to start their own businesses and said they needed consistency to achieve their dreams.
“I advise young people to live their dreams while they still have time as they have nothing to lose, except the fear of the unknown. In whichever space, contribute to change, and they should not be afraid to chase their dreams.”
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