With an interest in wine that only grew from many a discussion with a “wine guru” friend, Siyabonga became exposed to the diverse varietals of wine available. This led him to explore the industry and eventually he attended the small-scale Wine Making course at the University of Stellenbosch. Driven by his long-term vision, entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for empowering those in impoverished communities, Siyabonga set out to establish Imvula Wines.

Imvula Wines translated from isiZulu “IMVULA” means rain which is inspired by the fundamental role that annual rainfall plays in sustaining life. Imvula Wines source a variety of quality wines from a wine estate that is located in Robertson, Western Cape.

At this year’s Africa’s Big 7, the wine company will be exhibiting reserve wine, premium wine, dry white, dry red wine and sweet wine with its vision of becoming the best emerging wine brand to provide value to clients through wines that are unique and of good quality.

Chwepheshe and Thandolwethu (Pty) Ltd trading as Imvula Wines, is located at Ogade Location Bergville in KwaZulu-Natal. The company is under 100% black ownership and B-BBEE status: Level 1. The company is named Chwepheshe – Siyabonga received this name from his father and Thandolwehu is the name given to his first-born daughter. When translated Chwepheshe means “intelligent person” and Thandolwethu means “our love”.

Focused specifically on the African market, Siyabonga plans to position his wine as the beverage of choice for all at social gatherings from book clubs to weekend Shisa Nyamas. Siyabonga’s goal is to communicate and educate his community about wine in combination with a philanthropic approach.

“This approach entails the following: with every bottle of wine sold, an allocated amount of the profits will go back to fund community projects such as providing schools with better resources and learning materials”, says Founder, Siyabonga.

Siyabonga hopes that one-day Imvula Wines will take on a similar role in the lives of those in rural communities through providing assistance, social upliftment and financial support. The long-term vision is to open a wine-tasting centre that would result in more jobs for the community.

See Imvula Wines at Hall 5, stand no. N09-N18 from 24 -26 June 2018 at Gallagher Convention Centre.