Sparkling wine owner and events planner from small town has big dreams

Lonwabo Sibotho is an entrepreneur from Manxeba village in Sterkspruit with big dreams of becoming a well-known events planner and sparkling wine owner.

His inspiration came in 2016 when he attended award-winning hip-hop artist Cassper Nyovest’s concert at the Dome in Johannesburg.

“I got interested in hosting events.

“I wanted to prove that anything is possible when you believe in yourself.

“That year, I hosted my first annual event, All Black Affair with Gold, under my company’s name, Mageza’s Corner Events, which was a success.”

Sibotho co-owns a car wash and braai, eKoneni Carwash, with Akahlulwa Sidanga, which they  established in March 2020.

Though he grew up in hardship, with not enough money to finish his schooling, he did not stop believing in his abilities and kept on trying.

“In October 2020, I launched my own sparkling wine, Mageza’s Corner Sparkling, which was well received by my hometown and surrounding areas.

“The support from my hometown and surrounding areas was overwhelming.

“Since then I never looked back and I have been hosting many different artists — Prince Kaybee, Naakmusiq, Gaba Cannal, DJ Tira, Yanga Chief and Nomcebo Zikode.

“I plan to bring more national artists to my hometown to boost the local economy and put it on the map,” he said.

Sibotho’s inspiration for the sparkling wine came from businessmen  Dasi Mbi and Andile Shibili, who from his area and who have their own brand.

“I approached a wine cellar in Robertson in the Western Cape to produce the wine for me.

“I explained to them which wine I wanted, wine that would be enjoyed by many people.

“They produced it during the harvest season of February 2020.”

However, the Covid-19 lockdown put a halt to Sibotho’s businesses, which fall under the hospitality and liquor industry,

He could have sat at home and done nothing while waiting for the lockdown to be lifted, but Sibotho and his business partner then started selling fruit and vegetables.

Sibotho said the biggest challenge for a start-up business was access to capital and then getting the brand into liquor outlets, as well as transportation.

“It took me nine months to produce the final wine product, as we had to adhere to the regulations.”

The wine sells for R120 per bottle, and can be purchased by calling 063-916-3996 or e-mail Lonwabomageza@gmail.com.

The entrepreneur hopes to see major growth in five years so that he can create more jobs, and to get involved in other ventures.