By now, you’ll probably be familiar with the all-new CoCreate Hub located on Victoria Street in Stellenbosch. The Hub’s primary goal is to empower and support local entrepreneurs by providing them with a platform from which to showcase their work, as well as working with them to build their brands and develop critical business skills.
The Hub is jam-packed with exceptional entrepreneurs who showcase a variety of incredible products and services. It’s where visitors, students and residents can connect and buy local… but it’s also the perfect spot to feast local! Yes, many of the Hub’s small business owners specialise in serving up mouth-watering eats and treats. Here’s a look at what to expect.
Backyard Farms – Kayamandi
Beker & Bord – Kylemore
Tannie Siena Charles has all her visitors drooling thanks to her aromatic stews, authentic roosterkoek and vetkoek. Siena and her daughter, Donique, have joined forces to bring their bustling Beker & Bord food cart to the CoCreate Hub. In conjunction with the food cart at the Hub, Siena also takes orders for roosterkoek from businesses, schools and private customers. Her vision for the future is to see continued growth in all aspects of her business. As a ‘people person,’ Siena views the entrepreneurs at the CoCreate Hub as one big family who are there to help one another.
Coffee MM – Stellenbosch
“It is important to be stubborn about your dreams.” These words reflect the work ethic and drive of 27-year-old artisanal coffee roaster, Mhlengi Ngcobo. Originally from Vosloorus in Gauteng, Mhlengi launched CoffeeMM in 2018. It all started when a doctor advised him to cut back on his caffeine intake due to early-onset hypertension. The civil engineering student decided instead to learn everything he could about coffee and in 2021, he emerged as a winner in the ‘Business and Entrepreneurship’ category in the Mail & Guardian’s Top 200 Young South Africans. Mhlengi strives to empower small-scale coffee farmers across Africa by sourcing his coffee beans directly from them. Mhlengi has a barista station at the Hub – and his range of coffees are also available for purchase from the deli.
Creamy Creations – IDAS Valley
By the time pastry chef Nabeelah Cassiem, was eight years old, she had a dream – to own a coffee shop and deli.
Nabeelah registered Creamy Creations as a business in 2019 and today her product range includes biscuit selections as well as ‘fancies’ and cakes, supplying a variety of delicious baked goods to businesses, corporates, and private customers.
Gaga ‘Bout Koffie – Pniel
Tsitsi Magaya is truly gaga about coffee – hence the name of her business, Gaga bout Koffie, dedicated to serving caffeine-deprived customers the perfect brew. A Johannesdal resident, Tsitsi was first introduced to quality coffee (as opposed to bland instant coffee) by her husband who is in the hospitality industry. Since that day, she’s had the time of her life exploring as many roasts and blends as she can get her hands on. She hopes to bring her customers the same joy and satisfaction that coffee brings her.
Waga’s Fries – Kayamandi
Brothers Wanga and Uzzi Ncise are the brains behind Waga’s Fries – specialising in classic Mzansi street food. Wanga was first inspired to start the business after visiting Germany and returning home with the vision of creating a tasty and filling potato snack that was different from everything else on the market. Now, Waga’s Fries is about more than just fried potatoes. The duo sells a tasty meal prepared with a blend of sauces and spices, with options for customers who are looking for a light snack, as well as those in search of something more substantial.
Have Mercy Cakes – Kylemore
Add some extra sweetness to your tea times, parties and events in the form of an array of scrumptious baked goods, all made with love by Mercia Jacobs, the founder of Have Mercy Cakes. Have Mercy Cakes first opened its doors in 2013 when Mercia decided to try her hand at baking a cake for her daughter’s fifth birthday to save money. She was proud of her efforts and spent all day joking about how she would be handing out her business card at the end of the party. What started out as a joke led to Mercia’s first order just two weeks later. Now that she has a permanent spot at the Hub, Mercia’s dream is to manage Have Mercy Cakes in such a way that all her clients have a one-stop shop that meets all their baking needs.
Herbal View Hydroponics – Kylemore
When you talk to Basil Williams, it is immediately apparent that he is a man who knows his stuff. The owner of Herbal View Hydroponics has over 21 years of experience in horticulture and agriculture and prides himself on his range of dried herbs, spices, olive oil, olives and pesto (all available at the Hub), as well as a range of naturally grown and organic herbs and salads, available on order.
Supplying fresh produce in small quantities, for example to restaurants, is time intensive and often not profitable and so he generally packages his fresh herbs for sale to bulk distributors who can then sell it on to their retail and food industry clients
Residents and visitors in Stellenbosch can purchase items from Basil’s range at the CoCreate Hub.
Indalo Street Food – Kayamandi
Passionate about the food industry, Thabo Bekwa, loves putting his superpower, grilling, to good use at his food cart, Indalo Street Food. When creating the menu for his business, Thabo highlights how balance is always key, particularly in terms of texture. For example, a crispy meatball should be complemented by a side dish like a soft polenta chip. Thabo is excited about the fact that being a part of the Hub means he’s perfectly situated to share his culinary creations with local residents, Stellenbosch University students, and travelers alike.
Mavusana Premium Rooibos – Kayamandi
Tea lovers unite at Mavusana Premium Rooibos for that perfect, proudly South African brew. Vusi Mokoena is the passionate tea baron behind the brand, having started his business in 2020. He sources his leaves from farms in the Western Cape that are already trading internationally, then sends them off to a company that processes the tea to meet the high standards of Mavusana Premium Rooibos. The end result? “The people’s” tea at an affordable price.
Pretti Sweet Treats – IDAS Valley
Faeeza Arnolds, the gentle and creative soul behind Pretti Sweet Treats, is a true culinary artist when it comes to crafting decadent sweet treats. Her creations range from delicately flavoured macaroons to beautifully decorated cakes. Faeeza has always been passionate about baking, and nothing gives her greater pleasure than being able to provide mouth-watering treats to family, friends and customers. Her creations are every bit as delicious as they are stunning to look at!
Feeling peckish or planning a party? Looking for a beautiful sweet treat for Valentine’s Month? Join the Hub family from 11 January 2022 to meet some of these dynamic entrepreneurs in person – or in the meantime, browse through the online gift catalogue so you can get a general idea of where to look and what to buy.
Event & Corporate Catering
Hosting an event at your home, business or market? Need a food cart vendor to serve up some yumminess? Looking for beautifully-packaged lunch boxes with an array of sweet and savoury treats? The Hub’s food vendors can assist!
For more information about the CoCreate Hub or to apply to become a vendor at the Hub, please visit www.cocreatehub.co.za or email hub@ranyaka.co.za
