Walk into Coffee Lab at the Ballito Lifestyle Centre and you’ll be greeted with a warm smile before you even sit down. And that, says Sbu Nkolothi, is what it’s all about. “Coffee is about people,” he says. “Attitude is everything.”
Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Sbu has now settled in Ballito where he has run his own business for the last two years. The Coffee Lab space is modern, the staff is inviting, and the coffee is great…but the journey to this point has been anything but easy.
Looking for work opportunities during the soccer World Cup in 2010, Sbu moved to South Africa, but things didn’t go according to plan. Without work or contacts, he ended up living on the streets in Durban for five months. But with endless determination and a will to make something of himself, he managed to get a job at a small restaurant. From there, people started to take note of his can-do attitude and willingness to learn.
After gaining some experience in the restaurant business, Sbu was offered a job as barista at a shared workspace in Umhlanga. This is where his interest in coffee was really sparked, and he spent his free time watching tutorials and honing his skills. From there, he joined Private Property as their in-house barista, but when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, he was retrenched. Not one to be deterred, Sbu was determined to start his own coffee shop and when the team at the Ballito Lifestyle Centre got in touch about running a space at The Gallery, things finally fell into place. In 2021, Coffee Lab opened its doors, and the company has blossomed over the last two years.
Sbu is humbled and grateful for the opportunities he has been given, and for the people who have supported him in his journey. And he is determined to spread the love and empower others. Even before Coffee Lab existed, he started to train aspiring baristas and he has continued to do so while running his own business. “I’m not educated,” he admits. “A lack of education can limit opportunities, so I look at the attitude of a person.” He brings in people who know nothing about coffee, and teaches them the basics of the industry, as well as what he believes is really important – the creativity of the process, respect for others and humility. When each trainee finishes the mentorship programme, Sbu makes sure that they get a job. The mentorship programme is completely free, and new baristas walk away with a set of valuable skills. “Knowledge is something that will take you to the next level,” says Sbu.
“And a good attitude will add value to people’s lives. We don’t just train people to make coffee. We train people to be the best version of themselves.”
With a successful business and a rewarding mentorship programme to keep him busy, Sbu loves life in Ballito. He is constantly working hard to make sure he stays on top of his game and is proud to have built his company’s culture from scratch. In fact, he says that he will never hire a staff member from somewhere else – training is very important to him because it allows him to create opportunities for other people.
A dad to two girls, Sbu is inspired and motivated by his family. “When I look at them, I know I can’t mess up,” he laughs. “They give me hope. They need to see me pushing, and being disciplined. They are my bosses!”
For now, Sbu is focusing on the future and continuing to build a business that gives others a chance to succeed. “Money doesn’t build legacy,” he says. “When you focus on growth and value, the business will last. The most important thing is my passion for people and coffee. I have the best team. We are connected by loyalty and trust. They are my family.”
Details: Coffee Lab, The Studios, Ballito Lifestyle Centre; 032 307 0237;
IG: @coffeelab_lifestyle
