Ukhozi FM personality, Bheka Mchunu founded KZN Matric Excellence 15 years ago and this year they are excited to be offering classes for grades 10, 11 and 12. I know that as we are still fighting the Corona Virus pandemic, most parents are worried about the results of their children as their studying schedule has changed. That is when I heard of the School I thought of sharing it with you guys. Here’s some info and their background below:
To educate, empower, and inspire young South Africans to march boldly towards their academic aspirations by being a platform through which they can pass or upgrade their matric results, thus enabling easy entry into studies of their choice.
>> To help students realize their academic dreams
>>To help students produce their highest possible matric results
>>To produce great minds
>>To inspire a culture of academic excellence
>>To inspire a generation of achievers
>>To restore hope to students who may have lost hope
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‘Keep calm and brew coffee’ could be Starbucks barista Teddy Nzama’s mantra. He’s the first (and only) barista from Africa to have won the prestigious Starbucks Barista Championship, which he did in London in 2019 against the national champions from 29 other Europe, Middle East and African (EMEA) countries. He kept calm throughout and brought the trophy home to South Africa.
Teddy, who is a barista and qualified coffee master in Durban’s Florida Road Starbucks café, grew up in KwaMashu outside Durban, and matriculated from the Isibonelo High School. There were no funds in the family for tertiary education, so, following a suggestion by his grandmother, he applied and joined the Ciro Coffee Academy in Mt Edgecombe on a learnership.
His understanding and enjoyment of all things coffee took root in his life and he committed himself to learning all he could. He then attended a barista competition as a spectator, where he met – and was extremely impressed by – Ishan Natalie, Category Lead with Starbucks South Africa, three-time South African Barista Champion and two-time All Africa Barista Champion.
Teddy says, “Ishan was competing in the championship – and he won. He inspired me immediately, and I realised I wanted to be like him. He’s my role model and my brother, and I am so pleased to have the opportunity to work with him.”
After a few years of working in a coffee shop and running a mobile coffee bar, Teddy joined Starbucks Florida Road as part of the opening team in 2017. The baristas were sent to Johannesburg for three weeks for Starbucks barista training and to understand how Starbucks works. When the Florida Road store opened, Teddy was ready to immerse himself in as much learning and practicing as he could.
“Coffee has become my passion, the many different types of it, the styles of preparing it – each of which produces its own unique taste profile. I practiced the art of great coffee-making endlessly and started entering the in-store competitions, which were followed by the regional and then national barista championships. In 2018, I came second in the national championships. I then set my heart on winning the national competition in 2019, which I did.”
What kept him motivated to keep going through to winning the Starbucks EMEA Barista Championships? Teddy’s answer is immediate. “The Starbucks team – my bosses and fellow partners, including Siya Nondwayi, my store manager, Ishan, and many other colleagues were and still are my mentors, coaches and teachers – and their encouragement and support have always been brilliant.” He adds that their confidence in him and his ability helped him to stay calm throughout all the competitions. “Keeping calm in a tough competition is the only way to win.”
Teddy is both a people person and a coffee person – and he makes sure the two work well together. He loves the ongoing interaction with customers and sharing his passion for a good brew with them, and he loves helping and training other Starbucks partners and baristas to deliver the world-class quality brews that Starbucks is renowned for.
His advice to youngsters embarking on a career in the coffee industry is to grab every opportunity with both hands, to set goals and to work hard to achieve them. “Life is short,” he says, “make the most of the time you have and use the opportunities you are given.”
Looking ahead, Teddy says he hopes that one day Starbucks will have its own roastery in South Africa, and he will be able to expand his coffee horizons even further. He knows there’s still a lot to learn in the coffee world and he’s willing to learn it – and share his learnings.
In his spare time, he enjoys brewing a cup of coffee just the way he likes it. “Coffee is my peaceful space,” he says. He also enjoys sport (soccer and cricket), listening to music, and chilling with friends.
Mbongeni Mavuso – Stage name ‘Moh Mavuso’ raised in the hearts of KZN – Emandeni; his love for music started at the tender age of 5 Years, his granny used to hear him singing church melodies, as he matured it started to sink in that he could actually sing.
With the influence he had around his community, he continued to sing and entered competitions, one of the most memorable competitions was when the duo [ IZIQHAZA] competed at the SABC 2’s competition, ‘X Factor’ and they came 2nd Runner Up.
Apart from being a professional nurse, his love for music and the music industry at large is Moh Mavuso’s first love as he believes that it was a God blessed talent. 2020 – Moh Mavuso decided to embark on his Solo journey as he believes that one should grow by creating one’s journey, he sees it fit for his voice and also to be creative without being limited. He released his first single on the 14th of August 2021 titled, ‘Hamba Kahle’ featuring Fey – One of the greatest Vocalists in KZN. ‘Hamba Kahle’ was dedicated to the families that lost their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemics. As a professional nurse, he saw patients dying left right and center, families having to face difficulties of burying their loved ones.
2021 – He welcomes the year on a brighter note, he created a love song which encourages couples not to listen to a third party but should be making their own decisions and also to communicate more in a relationship. The single drops on the 5th of February 2021. Moh Mavuso hopes to work with the likes of Black Coffee – Heavy K – Dj Euphonik – Dj Fresh
in the near future.