I am Solide Bhengu, your friendly, dedicated Owner, Manager, Barista and General Every Day Good Guy.

I am passionate about great coffee, its origin, aroma and taste, from the farming process through to the serving of the perfect Cuppa.

I started out in coffee industry as an energetic young man, straight from school, in 2005. Back then I was not sure what my future held, and like most young people starting out, was faced with the tough questions of what career, what to study, where to get a job. Fortunately what began as a part time job, working as a Barista at a Coffee Café in Hillcrest, has become my passion, my career, my today, tomorrow and everything.

It was here that I met my mentor, master Barista, Craig Charity, owner of Lineage Coffee SA. He showed me the basics, pointed me in the right direction and with his support and YouTube (of course), I learned my Barista craft.

In 2011, I won the Café Society “Barista of the Year” competition. Proudly sponsored by Illovo Sugar South Africa, this competition made me famous (Yeah Brew) in the speciality coffee circles within Southern Africa. Not only did my coffee passion start for real, but I realised I could support my family, build a career, make an impact, all out of |Coffee.

After exploring various roles with different specialist coffee businesses, including the Bean Green coffee Roastery in Glenwood, my Illovo Sugar association came full circle in 2017 when I was given the opportunity to open my first, solely owned Shot Brew Coffee Shop in their Corporate Office on the Umhlanga Ridge.

With Illovo’s support, my entrepreneurial skills have been enhanced and I have established a Shot Brew Roastery alongside my Shot Brew Coffee Shop. In addition, had it not been for Covid-19, I would be well on my way to owning a few more stores (and creating new jobs) at various locations in and around Durban. Instead I have decided to keep it digital, for now, and am proud to launch my online store www.shotbrew.co.za.

Thank you for your ongoing support and for buying into my dream. Buy big, Buy often. Please and Thank you.

……Shot Brew