Our people
Our Homebrewers
Mamqhinebe
Kayamandi, Stellenbosch, ZA
Mazulu
Kayamandi, Stellenbosch, ZA
The team
Reitumetse (Tumi) Kholumo
Founder and Executive Director
Tumi holds a BScEng in Chemical Engineering and is currently pursuing a master’s degree specializing in bioprocess engineering. She is committed to preserving and promoting the rich heritage of Indigenous brewing practices. With a human-centered and systems-lens, she is primarily interested in the applications of Indigenous bio-sciences in the lives of African people. Her passion is particularly directed towards African women, the custodians of Indigenous knowledge systems. She enjoys flooding her grandmas with questions for all kinds of insights, listening to jazz music, and reading historical fiction novels.
Luyanda Ntshingila
Head of Policy Engagement
Luyanda holds LLB and LLM degrees and is currently a Candidate Attorney specializing in corporate commercial law. Passionate about feminist ideals, she actively advocates for gender equality and empowerment in both her personal and professional life. Through her initiative, Aunty Lu's Club, she motivates young girls to overcome societal norms and embrace their full potential. In her free time, Luyanda has shifted from a bookworm to an outdoor enthusiast, enjoying activities like running, hiking, and exploring Johannesburg, with plans to see more of her country in the future.
Basani Mbhalati
Head of Strategy and Sustainability
Basani is a versatile professional with a BScEng in Chemical Engineering and a PGDBA. She is passionate about sustainability and brings expertise in business strategy and organizational transformation. Her passion lies in creating sustainable economic opportunities for homebrewers at Kwela Brews. Beyond her professional endeavors, Basani finds joy in traveling, discovering historical landmarks, immersing herself in live jazz music, delving into African literature, and exploring the world of digital art.
Bernice Seymour
Head of Consumer Experience
Bernice is a dynamic BCom student specializing in Marketing and Management Science. She combines creativity and analytics to craft compelling marketing strategies. With a passion for business, she aspires to own a market-leading business that positively impacts communities. Beyond academics, Bernice finds solace and inspiration in nature through needlework, sewing, hiking, and outdoor adventures.
Phumza Qwaqwa
Head of Homebrewer Experience
Phumza holds a BSocSci (Hons) in Gender Studies and she is now pursuing a master's in Higher Education Studies. Passionate about community engagement and volunteer work, Phumza challenges traditional knowledge norms and promotes incorporating diverse experiences into societal discussions. Bridging communities with academia, she aims to cultivate mutual support and collective learning. Beyond academics, she finds peace in nature and music, embracing life's simple joys.
Our Advisors
Mamodise Matjele
Indigenous Brewer
Mamodise is a homebrewer of Traditional Afrikan Beer with experience of over 30 years of experience. She has a deep understanding of indigenous brewing and malting practices, as well as process control strategies guided by indigenous knowledge systems. Her current activities include serving good quality Traditional Afrikan Beer to her local customers, and advising on brewing practices in her local community.
Janusz Luterek
Consumer & IP Lawyer
Janusz is an admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa, a patent attorney and a registered professional engineer. Before joining the profession, Janusz worked in the chemical, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical industries for a number of years. His current activities include both intellectual property focussing on the drafting, prosecution and litigation of patents, and regulatory compliance focusing on food and consumer products. His technical fields of specialization include petrochemical engineering, food and beverage science and engineering, pharmaceuticals, agro chemicals, and catalysis.
Rowan Spazzoli
Social Innovator
Rowan is a lecturer and economic development consultant with extensive experience in startup and small business support. Rowan has cofounded multiple startups including SMEgo, a funding platform for startups, Loadalot, a logistics startup and Ayabu, a job platform. He lectures business strategy at the University of Cape Town and runs the regional University of Oxford Map The System competition with the Bertha Centre.
Rowan is the Director of Accendio (Pty) Ltd, an economic development consultancy that supports social entrepreneurship and systems change work through various projects.
Rirhandzu Marivate
Food Systems Practitioner
Rirhandzu is a regenerative food systems practitioner with a background in natural sciences and sustainable development who is passionate about working to better communities. She is interested in multi-stakeholder engagement for community building through the lens of food systems and natural resources management to build community resilience. She has over 10 years of experience and has worked as a project manager, farmer, and facilitator, environmental researcher and consultant, in the academic, government and non-profit sector.
Rirhandzu is the founder and executive director of Xilalelo Experiences (Pty) Ltd, a social enterprise that aims to provide a diversity of services in food systems transition; from educational workshops, consulting, tours, and practical food experiences.