#STORIES | 1 MIN READ

Lungelo Saule

 

Brewing Opportunity, Growth and Local Impact on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast

Lungelo Saule, the entrepreneur behind Saule Café, is building far more than a coffee business in Sunwich Port on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal. Through his work, he is creating opportunities for skills development, promoting high industry standards, and making a meaningful contribution to the local economy.

In partnership with Auntie Betty’s, the business provides quality coffee and beverage solutions to both individual and corporate clients. Operating in an area where specialised coffee offerings have traditionally been limited, Saule Café is helping to expand access to convenient, affordable, high-quality coffee experiences while strengthening local service standards.

Beyond its daily operations, the business is also contributing to industry development through training and mentorship. This includes supporting operational improvements and barista training for the management team of the first Bootlegger Coffee Company store in KZN (Musgrave), as well as training staff at a local Astron Energy Garage on the South Coast ahead of the launch of its coffee shop. These initiatives reflect a growing commitment to skills development and raising standards within the coffee sector.

Before joining the innovative Black Umbrellas programme, the business operated without structure, mentorship, or a formal growth plan. While the vision was clear, key challenges included scaling operations, refining the business strategy, and achieving sustainable revenue growth.

Through Black Umbrellas, Lungelo gained access to mentorship, structured business development support, and strategic guidance. A significant turning point was the shift from reactive day-to-day operations towards implementing stronger systems that could support sustainable, long-term growth.

Since joining the programme, the business has strengthened its operations, improved its financial and strategic planning processes, and expanded its customer base through key partnerships, including its role as a coffee vendor partner to Auntie Betty’s. These developments have enhanced the business’s credibility and opened the door to further opportunities within the hospitality sector.

Looking ahead, Lungelo aims to expand across the South Coast, grow the business’s corporate service offering, and create additional employment opportunities. There is also a strong focus on formalising the training and mentorship component of the business, building on existing experience in coaching hospitality teams and baristas.

With an academic background in Cultural and Media Studies, Lungelo combines education, industry experience, and entrepreneurship to build a business that delivers both economic and social impact.

“Black Umbrellas transformed my entrepreneurial journey by providing the mentorship, strategic direction, and confidence I needed to turn opportunity into sustainable business growth.”

Lungelo’s journey highlights the value of investing in entrepreneurs with the vision and potential to build sustainable businesses. With the right combination of mentorship, strategic support, and collaborative partnerships, enterprises such as Saule Café can strengthen local economies, create opportunities for skills development and employment, and contribute to more resilient communities. It is a compelling example of how targeted entrepreneurial support can translate into meaningful and lasting impact.