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- Brewsters Craft founder Apiwe Nxusani-Mawela dIt was decided to produce alcohol-free beers and sanitizers as a way to stay afloat during the harsh lockdown.
- She is the first black brewery owner in South Africa.
- Once restrictions on alcohol were lifted Nompani-Mawela he had plans to bring the brand of craft beer from his home to various outlets in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape, but the new ban has thwarted some of those plans.
The ban on the sale of alcohol during the national shutdown gave the breweries a bitter financial pill to swallow.
With funds dwindling and workers to pay, homeowners had to think of creative ways to stay afloat.
As the first black woman to own a brewery, Apiwe Nxusani-Mawela was determined not to fail.
The owner of Brewsters Craft decided to change and expand her offering to non-alcoholic craft beer, as well as disinfectants.
“It was a crazy time where survival was key to staying afloat. I had to keep my team motivated by showing them that I was doing everything I could to make sure we all made it,” Nxusani-Mawela told News24.
A challenging start
Brewsters Craft was founded in 2015 after Nxusani-Mawela left her senior position as a master craft brewer at South African Breweries.
“The path to starting the brewery was not easy. Like many people, I struggled to raise capital. I ended up applying for a loan from the South African Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). The process took over a year before the application was approved.” said the brewmaster.
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Brewsters Craft finally opened its doors in 2018 in Johannesburg. The company began making beverages for smaller craft beer brands.
In a few months, the business was on the mend and the prospects for the future were exciting.
However, the ban on the sale of liquor dealt a major blow to the company, almost bringing it to its knees.
“We are still surviving the lockdown and trying to make ends meet … For us in the alcohol and tobacco industry, we are the hardest hit. It was a roller coaster ride – emotionally, mentally, financially and physically.”
Interrupted payments
Nxusani-Mawela was almost in the red with its loan repayments and company overheads.
“I had loans that needed to be serviced, as well as rent and staff that I had to pay. The worst thing was not knowing how long we would be banned or what would happen. Brewing is a three-week process that you can not turn on and off turn off, “he said.
Thanks to the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), Nxusani-Mawela was able to pay her staff for a few months.
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He also received interruptions in the payment of the rent of his warehouse space and in the repayment of the loan from IDC.
“What worked is that I approached them early. Immediately when we entered the confinement. I told them about my situation and that I would pay what I could afford. I kept in constant communication,” he said.
His company had plans to boost the brand during the festive season in Port Elizabeth, East London and Cape Town.
“By the sea is the best, hoping that when those guys come back to Joburg, they are aware of the brand and we can push it locally,” he said.
Positive outlook
But President Cyril Ramaphosa announced Monday night that the ban on the sale, distribution and transportation of alcohol would be reinstated, thwarting many of the brewery’s plans.
Her loved ones and the next generation of brewers keep Nxusani-Mawela motivated.
“I’m doing this for my kids, my family. I’m creating a platform for other small businesses. I can’t fail. It has to work.”
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