Her curious and creative mind makes her do wonders. From being an Electrical Engineer to a wine maker. Fika Khumalo is a colourful, creative queen who prides herself in being an African. She is originally from Eastern Cape, now residing in the South Coast of Durban (Umgababa). She is a businesswoman, wife and a mother of three.
Fika found herself bored in her career shortly after she got promoted to a Supervisor. She felt the job was no longer challenging. “I wanted to do something that fulfils me”.
I learnt there was a program for organic farming that was hosted in the area. That’s when my love for farming developed. I started farming and selling vegetables. Because of my curious mind, I started researching on food processing. I wanted to do more than just farming and sell vegetables. I wanted a space that can allow me to be creative.
Why beetroot wine?
She laughed and uttered, “It was out of curiosity, and I love beetroot, more so for its health benefits. I stumbled upon the concept and I wanted to try. I wanted to give people those benefits in a different way that they will enjoy.”
I was unsure at first but whenever we gave our neighbours to taste, they loved it. Beetroot wine is not our only offering, we started experimenting with cucumber wine, but beetroot with got famous for its effects especially on health and manhood.
What challenges did you encounter when you started?
Finances, access to markets and lack of business acumen were my biggest challenges. I focused on the idea without putting systems in place. When the demand hit, it then hit that we haven’t established distribution, the questions like how do we market the product came about. Sadly, I didn’t even have a mentor to channel me accordingly.
Future aspirations?
I’m currently operating from home, so my biggest right now is to own a fully-fledged brewing house.
How do you keep yourself motivated?
My creative and artistic nature keeps intrigued. I’m always curious and wanting to do come up with something new.
What is your source of inspiration?
God. I also read and listen to inspirational material and YouTube videos. People like Ophrah Winfrey inspires me live life and be my best self.
“Each day you live to reach your highest and truest self” by Ophrah Winfrey.
Success stories
Being selected to be part of PPT’s Informal Economy Support programme (IESP) has been life changing. They helped me with mentoring and marketing. Working with Vuyiswa Sogoni, my mentor, has been mind opening and helped me develop strong business acumen.
PPT also assisted me obtain a winemaking certificate, marketing materials, exposure to new markets e.g. Pink Power event and are helping me obtain a brewery license.
Meeting Mr Vuyani Lingela (Investor) who bought into my vision and open his arms in assisting me see my business succeed has been phenomenal.
We’ve also established a relationship with AGOA, an organization that specialises in importing and exporting wine to USA and Asia.
Advice to aspiring businesswomen
Follow your passion and turn it into business. It’s nice to do something you are passionate about because you enjoy it doesn’t feel like a chore.
