An interview with Bongekile Radebe: On Being Her Own Cup of Tea

In 2015 I was asked to participate in a panel discussion at the Youth Economic Indaba hosted by the Association of Black Securities & Investment Professionals (ABSIP). My particular panel was themed around women empowerment, and I was so honoured at the opportunity to share my thoughts amongst an accomplished group of young women. One of the things I remember fondly about this experience was the connection I had with the panel moderator- Bongekile Radebe. She was sharp, accomplished (from a very young age) and, immediately after our engaging panel debate was over, our common surname compelled me to call her Ma Bhungane (isithakazelo saka Radebe) which led to an exchange of kind, knowing smiles. Since then Bongekile has been on the path to world domination! When we first met, she was the founder of an organization called Her Destiny, a social business that created a platform for empowering conversations amongst women, related to connecting generations, personal development and financial literacy. But at the heart of all these conversations was tea, which was the consistent beverage served at each of her meetups. It was only a matter of time until Bongekile began to connect the dots to a more sustainable, impactful business model and an audacious aspiration. Her big idea- starting her own premium tea product called, “Taste of Legends”. This pivoted her passion project from being a social initiative into a health, wellness, lifestyle and agricultural enterprise.

Photo Source: @tasteoflegends

MG: So, you have a finance and banking background, and pivoted into starting a tea business. How did you approach the learning process in starting your business, especially since you had no experience and many of your large competitors have been in this game for ages?

BR: It took a good two years to develop my tea product, but I took my time because I didn’t want my tea to be just another tea product. I really wanted my tea to carry the vision of women and communities coming together to connect and learn. Hence the brand name “Taste of Legends”, which represents the various parts of the vision I was aiming to create. The brand name, the package design everything in between was all intentional and I didn’t want to rush this process. Fortunately, had a very good understanding of the things I didn’t know, and I always want to give my best in what I do, so I knew the most effective way for me to learn more about tea production was to surround myself with people who were masters in it already. This has especially helped to get the product side of the business working very well. Also, not a day goes by without me reading something related to tea and I had a natural curiosity to find out what the best tea in the world is and why. This has also focused my attention on building a brand that is globally strong and has potential to do exceptionally well somewhere else outside of South Africa. But a key business lesson for me has been being able to think big, and being okay with starting small.

MG: When did you launch your tea product and how has your business grown since?

BR: I launched “Taste of Legends” in August 2017, during SA women’s month, which was great timing considering the significance of the month and the background of my business. It’s now available for purchase on social media, and the website is due to launch soon. However, all the relationships I forged from before launching my own tea product have really pulled through and helped me penetrate the market. I also think the main reason these relationships helped was that they had seen the previous work I’d done and trusted that I could make my business a success. Relationships and the networks one builds over time are so important and should never be underestimated. My biggest client so far has been Brand South Africa.

Photo Source: The Young Independents (2016)

MG: With your global achievements, including being a Mandela Washington Fellow and a One Young World Ambassador, have you always been intentional about wanting to stand up as a businesswoman on a global stage?

BR: I think I’ve always had my intentions in the right place, as opposed to just chasing an accolade. I remember when I was a teenager I used to read magazines and look up to these women who were my definition of success. At the tender age of 20, I was on the cover of Destiny magazine’s Power of 40 issue next to Khanyi Dhlomo, which was a small affirmation that started to shape a bigger picture for me and led me to where I am today. I continue to be spiritually aware of this favour and grateful for these building blocks. I consciously believe that I was not called to live an ordinary life, and I know that, in some way or another, my life will be great. I also realise that this comes with added responsibility, which can be very rewarding and also at times very painful. But this all builds deep wisdom and I welcome this as a spiritual experience.

Image Source: Destiny Magazine (2011)

MG: So, what’s next for “Taste of Legends”?

BR: I’m passionate about turning my tea business into a community of legends and people aspiring to achieve legendary work and/or legendary moments. We, as people, have the tendency to be so intensely goal orientated, but tea allows us the opportunity to just take it all in, either in solitude or with the company of others. “Taste of Legends” wants to help its consumers achieve wellness, self-care and we know that this, in turn, helps our consumers be their best and ultimately achieve their goals. I have my own aspirations for the business but I’m also looking forward to the business blowing me away. I’m especially keen to see the business grow in time to uplift the livelihoods of families that we work with. I think it’s excited to live in an age where we can document our journeys, and I dream of the day where I get to say that I am a black, township raised girl, who went on to make the best tea in the world.

Article by: Magcino Gule | Mbewu Movement Founding Member

Magcino Gule holds a Master of Philosophy in Politics, Philosophy and Economics (University of Cape Town). She is an Executive Assistant in Financial Services

The Future of Self-Branding

The future of self-branding in my opinion really is an idea borrowed from history.  We are slowly learning not to reinvent the wheel in this day and age. It’s the modern day equivalent of sitting around the fire and listening to the older generation teach life lessons through story telling. And it is one of these encounters with the past that I found a lesson on self-branding.

I decided to play the tourist while in DC a few months ago and visit some of the monuments. It was while exploring the World War II memorial monument that I came across this quote by George Marshall.

“We are determined that before the sun sets on this terrible struggle, our flag will be recognized throughout the world as a symbol of freedom on the one hand and of overwhelming force on the other. “  – George Marshall, 1942

I am not an historian, so forgive me if I do not revert to an historic encounter of World War II and the aftermath. I will admit that in writing this piece, I did some research on WWII. I discovered that before the war the United States was considered a great power among others and at the time it was both premature and erroneous to state that they were a superpower. It is at this point in my article that historians and academics will feel the need delve into research data and give you exact dates and accounts of the US transition into a super power.  I will save you the trouble.

What stood out to me when I read this quote was the following:

Establish a plan

The United States had a plan. They had goals, a mission and a vision statement that is so clearly highlighted in this one quote. They knew who they wanted to be (a symbol of freedom), they knew where they were going (an overwhelming force). And this is very simply how they got here. And this is how you, as a future African leader, to be can learn from history today.

Focus on others then self

What I want us to focus on is the nature and the priorities of the goals outlined in this quote. The first commitment is to the service of another; The idea of creating a symbol of freedom for all is arguably one of the reasons America is considered the land of the free.

When creating your mission and vision statement, I urge you to think of the value you can add to your communities before focusing on what is in it for you. Only then can you focus on growing your name as a force to be reckoned with. It is the people whose lives you touch, whose trust you earn and whose support you will gather to help grow your business, help establish your movement or support your policies.

Work with the storm

I am drawn to the opening statement.  “We are determined that before the sun sets on this terrible struggle…” Notice how this statement was born not before a time of terrible struggle nor after. It was during the uncomfortable period that hope emerged. We cannot wait for our circumstances to get better, for our future to look bright before we forge or lay out our strategic plans. We are a generation of leaders who are called to create and seize opportunities and to give voice to a continent that has desperately needed to re-brand.

This new generation of young African leaders will drive change. We are creating a new narrative, an African narrative. Before we do that together, we need individual brands. So as you create and grow your brands, do not forget to look back into history.

Article by:

Eldine Chilembo Glees

Eldine Chilembo Glees is a sailor in heels. A Maritime professional from Angola advocating for women employment and promotion in the transportation sector. She is a Mandela Washington Fellow and Global Youth Ambassador for One Young World.