By Ndumiso Tshuma
In the bustling heart of Johannesburg, a Zimbabwean entrepreneur is transforming lives and redefining the culinary landscape. Nyengeterai Mawere, founder and CEO of Real Premium Spices, has turned personal challenges into a thriving business while empowering women and youth.
Mawere, a mother of two, began her journey in 2018 when she moved to South Africa after getting married, hoping for better opportunities. However, things didn’t go as planned.
“In life, we need courage and hope for a better future, especially when moving to another country. For me, it was different. I expected to find a job in South Africa, but I couldn’t get one related to my expertise,” said Mawere.
Initially, she faced the harsh realities of immigrant life, taking on cleaning jobs and eventually running a private laundry business to support her family. A pivotal moment came when she met a colleague who introduced her to the spice trade.
“A friend in the laundry business taught me how to make spices. We started working from my garage, and soon I was doing everything on my own. That’s how Real Premium Spices was born,” Mawere explained.
Her entrepreneurial drive was motivated by a desire to create something unique. “I saw an opportunity to do something new with spices. I recognised a market gap and the potential to bring unique flavours to our communities,” she said.
“When a woman earns 100 Rand, she often spends just 10 Rand on herself and the rest on her family. Women need to stand up, sell products of their choosing, and create business plans that will lead to success,” she added.
Her journey hasn’t been without challenges. As a foreigner, Mawere struggled with language barriers, noting that speaking English to some customers could be perceived as condescending.
“I overcame this by selling door-to-door and at local markets. At first, people looked at me like I was selling poison, but I persisted,” she recalled.
Through determination and resilience, Mawere continued to push her product. “I believe every woman needs spices in their home. When you cook a happy meal, the family becomes happy too,” she said.
