The Story of Ukhamba Beerworx
Is a story about people
OUR HISTORY
In the history of the people of Southern Africa, it was custom for tribesmen to gather in a circle sharing umqombothi (a traditional African beer) from a clay pot called ukhamba. The bigger pots were used for brewing beer, while the smaller pots were passed around for drinking and enjoying beer.
Ukhamba Beerworx was founded on the footsteps of our forefathers to embrace African history and to preserve the true taste of African Beer.
It is from ukhamba uniting people long ago that we chose our name. It is from our name that we continue the legacy.
So every time you are enjoying an Ukhamba beer with friends and strangers, you are celebrating the traditional legacy and heritage of African people.
OUR COMMITMENT
TO AFRICA: "WE COMMIT TO CARRY OUR HERITAGE, OUR CULTURE, OUR STORIES AND OUR DREAMS FROM YESTERDAY TO TOMORROW"
From the Founder: An Open Letter to Dreamers
Why My Wife and I Started Ukhamba
My love for craft beer began many years back whilst I was working as a bartender in a craft beer centric bar in Cape Town, South Africa. During this time, I began brewing from home – trying various recipes from lagers, to stouts to IPA’s etc – and soon after, I realized I had a passion for making beer and I wanted to make a beer that resonated closer with my culture and heritage, I wanted to make an African beer! And just like that, the dream of Ukhamba Beerworx ("Ukhamba") was born.
When I started, I had no funding, I had no business skill and, quite frankly, I felt that I’m just a regular guy. I wasn’t born into wealth. I didn’t have any special education. But I had a dream. And as I looked at my daughter one day, who was about 2-years old at the time, I realized I owed it to her to chase my dream. I owed it to her to try, so that one day she would see that, despite not having any business skills, or wealth, or anything special for that matter, Dada chased his dream and he made it.
So Nolu (my wife & partner) and I founded Ukhamba for her, and today, I say to all the dreamers, Ukhamba exists for us. Ukhamba exists for people who, despite their circumstances, are bold enough to chase their dreams and crazy enough to believe that one day they may actually come true. Ukhamba exists for us.
Utywala Bethu! ("Our Beer")
Lethu Tshabangu