Love of coffee heats up businessman’s passion
BARISTA SPILLS THE BEANS ON STORY OF HIS SUCCESS
WHEN he was only 16, having to work two jobs and go to school, Sihle Magubane had no idea he would one day become a businessman.
Magubane, a trained barista, is passionate about coffee. Barista is an Italian word for a male or female bartender serving coffee and other hot drinks.
“South Africans consume 2.2 billion cups of coffee a month. I drink at least 20 cups of coffee a day. The industry is growing,” Magubane said.
“I love coffee. When I was young I drank instant coffee. It was nice because it was what I was used to. But in 2012 while working at an arts festival, I met influential people and got to taste real coffee. I fell in love and have not looked back ever since.”
Magubane had to work two jobs while in high school so that he could take care of his two younger siblings after their mother died when he was 16 and in Grade 10.
Having to juggle school and work as a gardener on weekdays and a pizza maker on weekends was not easy.
Fast forward 17 years later and he is developing a manual to teach baristas, owns a coffee shop called Sihle’s Brew at North Riding Shopping Centre in Johannesburg, and brews his own coffee.
“A man called Roberto Montera told me that if I wanted to learn more about coffee, I would have to relocate from KwaZulu-Natal to Johannesburg. I did just that because of the developing love and passion for coffee and being a barista,” he said.
In 2003, he was selected for training at the Ciro Coffee Academy and he obtained the international barista certificate through City & Guilds a leading international skills development training centre.
“That is where it all began. I worked for Pick n Pay, introducing coffee shops in their stores and then I moved to Ciro Coffee Academy where I worked as a barista trainer.
“I am now developing my own manual and will teach and train baristas. Our qualifications will be accredited. I will call the training centre Barista Love,” he said.
“I will also be doing brewing here. I am currently doing it elsewhere, but I am expecting my machinery to arrive soon. I employ three people.
“The business is growing and my shortterm goal is to open two more coffee shops.
“My long-term goal is to open coffee shops across the country.”
Magubane supplies coffee to gyms, some Food Lover’s Market branches, two Spars and car dealerships among others.