Ndumiso Madlala: A legacy of black excellence in the South African brewing industry

Banele Ginidza

The late Ndumiso Madlala, founder of Soweto Gold Premium beer, has been described as "brains with a big heart" and a stalwart of black excellence. Madlala died in hospital from liver failure on Thursday last week. He was 49 years old.

The KwaZulu-Natal born entrepreneur who consciously set Soweto as the origins of his first commercial craft beer, did so because of his belief in bringing the inspiration to the community.

The Beer Association of South Africa (BASA) on Monday said Madlala's passing was not only a loss to the beer industry but to South Africa as a whole.

BASA's CEO, Charlene Louw, said Madlala leaves behind a legacy of innovation, resilience, and cultural pride.

"His story is a powerful reminder of why it is so vital to support and enable emerging black-owned businesses in brewing and beyond," Louw said.  

She said Madlala was a true brewing pioneer and community champion, and as the first black man to co-found a commercial craft brewery, he broke new ground in an industry that has historically been difficult for black entrepreneurs to access.

"His decision to step away from a corporate career to build Soweto Gold inspired many, and his success opened doors for greater inclusivity within the sector," Louw said.

“Ndumiso Madlala’s pioneering brand, Soweto Gold, became part of Heineken Beverages SA through acquisition, and Heineken Beverages is an active member of BASA. Through this connection, his entrepreneurial journey and vision remain closely tied to the broader beer industry that BASA represents."

Family spokesperson and Madlala's bother, Phakama, said Madlala was a very intelligent man but also blessed with a big heart.

"He did well in chemical engineering, got an opportunity to do his Masters in the Netherlands. He came back with so much passion for his field, especially brewing. He gave his all towards his industry," he said.

"He was passionate about Soweto Gold, about community upliftment as well because he wanted the brewery amongst the people he helped with jobs, houses and other forms of support."

Madlala said growing up, his brother, one of seven children and the fourth in birth order, had a sharp memory that captured the smallest of details and was passionate about numbers and science.

Soweto Gold, founded in a collaboration between Madlala and Josef Schmid under the company name MadMead Brewing Co, burst out in a froth in 2013, tapping into a market in the township of Soweto looking for unique tasting beer.

Madlala's Soweto Gold is one of hundreds of new South African microbreweries mounting a small, but visible, challenge to SABMiller's 90% market share.

Madlala had previously said he struggled to grow the business for craft beer while drinkers battling job losses, high personal debt levels, and a weak economy shunned premium priced alcoholic drinks.

However, he held onto the belief that Soweto was a far bigger constituency than the small villages he had seen in Europe with their own craft beers.

Phakama said from some conversations he had with his brother, part of the problems he encountered was that craft brewers were hit with the same excise duties as big players in the industry.

"But my brother was very competitive. He never let that discourage him. With his knowledge and skills, he was very hands on and was getting a lot of respect from the business guys from his sharp intellect and grasp of the industry. Personally, I hope there will be another black child who will be inspired by his story," Madlala said.

The brand, intellectual property and assets were in 2017 acquired by Heineken South Africa as part of its strategy to increase market share in the beer sector.

Madlala leaves behind two children, a daughter and a son. He will be remembered in a memorial service at the Portuguese Club House Grill in Oakdene on Tuesday afternoon, and be laid to rest at his family homestead in KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday, September 6.

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