Two taxi commuters who went on to become friends and tenacious business partners selling gourmet cuisine out of a food truck.
Look right, look left. You may well be sitting next to your future business partner. That’s what happened to Hezron Louw, the Johannesburg-based co-founder of Sumting Fresh, on one of his taxi commutes years ago, and one that set him off on another journey altogether in a food truck.
“I met this guy in the taxi. And he was reading a magazine about cakes and we started talking about cakes. And every day for about two and half years, we would meet in the same taxi line and we would talk about food,” recounts Louw, when we meet him at Grant Avenue, a trendy street in the garden suburb of Norwood in Johannesburg.
This is where Sumting Fresh is rustling up and selling taste (the gourmet company also sells out of a truck at Johannesburg’s vibrant food markets).
The guy Louw met in the taxi, Andrew Leeuw, would go on to found Sumting Fresh with him in 2012.
But before that, the friends-turned-business partners had hurdles to get past.
“We had 12 years apart in between before we saw each other again,” says Louw, the self-taught chef and media personality.
Louw and Leeuw grew up in the suburb of Ennerdale four blocks from each other but never met until the day destiny connected them at the taxi rank.
They were students at the time – Louw was studying for a BCom in accounting while Leeuw was studying to become a chef.
Though Louw dropped out of his course to work in the banking sector, Leeuw completed his studies and worked at resorts.
The common ground in their friendship was their deep, abiding love for food.
“One day, I was driving down the road with my brother and I see Andrew. I shout ‘hey my guy’, he shouts ‘hey my guy’. We had forgotten each other’s names.”
They went to have a beer and three months later, Sumting Fresh was born with no capital to back it.
This story is from the October 2018 edition of Forbes Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 2018 edition of Forbes Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
HIP-HOP'S HOTTEST HUSTLER
The Memphis rap star runs one of the biggest music labels, owns a piece of an MLS team and is looking to expand his empire like his billionaire mentor Jay-Z. But first, he's going to business school.
Kigali Triennial, The Ambitious New Event On The African Cultural Calendar
Rwanda has rightly earned the nickname of \"a land of a thousand hills and a thousand and one opportunities\" because of the country's impressive economic progress. However, after the recently-concluded celebration of arts which was the inaugural Kigali Triennial festival, you can now add culture to the list of things the country offers for tourists and investors.
The dark Side of AI
There is a thin line between innovation and abuse. A look at how large language models (LLMs) are making cyber-criminals even better at mastering the art of deception.
Gene Gamechanger
Disease-resistant crops? Cows that can withstand climate change? Here's how CRISPR is already transforming the continent, and why building a network of skilled scientists can help position Africa as a key global contributor in this frontier of crop development.
Women Empowerment And Transformation In Mining: A Distinctive Perspective
GMDC is a mining company that specializes in tungsten (wolfram) and operates in the city of Kigali, Nyarugenge District, Mageragere Sector.
How The Mining Sector Contributes To Community Development Initiatives
It plays a significant role in Rwanda's overall development, contributing to infrastructure, job creation, health, education, and even environmental conservation. It's not just about extracting resources; mining is mandated to build up the communities and nation alongside its operations.
Reflecting On 2023 Milestones And A Look Ahead
Last year solidified Rwanda's position as a prime African mining investment destination and a burgeoning hub for mineral value addition. What will 2024 hold?
Rwandan Mining Regulator Unveils Three-Year Mineral Exploration Campaign
A holistic approach to responsible mineral resource management in the country.
TASTING SUCCESS
Paul Siguqa has had an unlikely journey in the wine business in South Africa. His mother worked in the vineyards as a laborer during the apartheid era and now, his fully black-owned wine farm sells premium products.
Creating Stronger Communities In Africa Through Digital And Financial Inclusion
In Sub-Saharan Africa, a silent barrier to economic inclusion and social mobility persists: one in four adults lacks identification, according to a World Bank report.
