Kasi Business Podcast by TEA

Rendani Madilonga is the Founder of Rendani’s Auto Clinic (RAC), a proudly 100% Black-owned and managed automotive service business based in Bethal, Mpumalanga. Built around quality, reliability and efficient vehicle care, Rendani’s Auto Clinic provides comprehensive maintenance and repair services to keep customers moving.

In Episode 19 of the Kasi Business Podcast, we sit down with Rendani to unpack what it takes to build and grow an automotive business while delivering a service that customers rely on every day.

This episode unpacks:
Building an automotive service business from the ground up
The journey of establishing Rendani’s Auto Clinic in Mpumalanga
What it means to provide reliable and efficient vehicle maintenance and repairs
The importance of quality workmanship and customer service in the automotive industry
Building trust and credibility with customers
Managing the pressure of keeping customers’ vehicles on the road
The systems, skills and discipline required to reduce downtime
The realities of running and growing an automotive workshop
Turning technical skills into a sustainable business opportunity
The importance of continuous learning and adapting in a changing industry
Building a business that creates value for customers and opportunities within the community
The lessons Rendani has learnt through his entrepreneurial journey
The role of resilience, consistency and determination in building a business
Using entrepreneurship to create opportunities within the township economy

Guest Bio:
Rendani Madilonga is the Founder of Rendani’s Auto Clinic (RAC), a proudly 100% Black-owned and managed automotive service provider based in Bethal, Mpumalanga.

RAC is rooted in a commitment to excellence, quality care and customer satisfaction, providing comprehensive vehicle maintenance and repair services designed to keep customers’ vehicles performing at their best.

Rendani’s entrepreneurial journey has also seen him recognised as a pitch competition winner through the Township Entrepreneurs Alliance, reflecting the potential of township entrepreneurs who are building businesses around skills, expertise and real market needs.

His story is a reminder that entrepreneurship can turn technical skills and industry knowledge into sustainable businesses that create value, build trust and contribute to local economic development.

About the podcast:
Kasi Business Podcast is powered by TEA. A weekly business podcast that seeks to unlock opportunities and practical resources to start and grow your business.

The podcast profiles entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, industry practitioners, policymakers and legendary Black business leaders, sharing practical insights and experiences that can help entrepreneurs navigate the realities of building a business.

The podcast is hosted by Bulelani Balabala, an award-winning entrepreneur, business speaker and author.

#KasiBusinessPodcast #JoinUsForTEA

Calab Baloyi is the Founder and Owner of Nosso Sunflower Oil, a proudly South African sunflower cooking oil manufacturing business based in Orange Farm, Gauteng. His entrepreneurial journey is a powerful story of resilience, reinvention and recognising opportunities when circumstances change.
This episode unpacks:
Building a business from growing and selling spinach and cabbage to manufacturing sunflower cooking oil
How a small agricultural venture in Orange Farm became the starting point for a much bigger entrepreneurial journey
The journey of starting Nosso Sunflower Oil and entering the manufacturing industry
The realities of producing, packaging and distributing sunflower cooking oil
Using manufacturing and entrepreneurship as vehicles for township economic empowerment

Available on YouTube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

#KasiBusinessPodcast #TownshipEntrepreneur #TownshipEconomy #JoinUsForTEA

Guest Bio:
Calab Baloyi is a South African entrepreneur and the Founder and Owner of Nosso Sunflower Oil, a sunflower cooking oil manufacturing business based in Orange Farm, Gauteng.
Before becoming an entrepreneur, Calab spent eight years working in sales at companies including Altron Bytes, Liberty Life and Vodacom. He also studied towards a BCom degree, which he had to put on hold when his mother fell ill.
After losing his corporate sales job during the Covid-19 pandemic, Calab found himself at the beginning of a new chapter. Inspired by watching his mother tend to her small home garden in Orange Farm, he started growing and selling spinach and cabbage to local street vendors and a nearby supermarket.
However, as the agricultural business grew, limited access to land presented a challenge to further expansion. Rather than allowing this limitation to stop his entrepreneurial journey, Calab identified an opportunity to pivot into sunflower oil production and founded Nosso Sunflower Oil in 2019.
Today, Nosso Sunflower Oil produces high-quality sunflower cooking oil in 5L, 10L and 20L packaging for households, retailers and food service businesses. The business also repurposes its production by-products into animal feed for poultry and piggery farmers, creating additional value while supporting a more sustainable, zero-waste approach to manufacturing.
Calab also serves as Managing Director of Tshemba-Ntsako Projects (Pty) Ltd.
Beyond the product itself, Calab sees Nosso Sunflower Oil as a vehicle for township economic empowerment. He is passionate about helping people develop their own products and building a generation of creators and producers rather than consumers.
His work was recognised at the inaugural Township Economy Awards 2024, where he received the Food & Beverage Innovator Award.
Calab’s story is a reminder that entrepreneurship is not always a straight path. Sometimes, the business you start is not the business you ultimately build. What matters is the ability to recognise opportunities, adapt to challenges and keep moving forward.
From spinach and cabbage grown in Orange Farm to sunflower oil reaching the market, Calab’s journey demonstrates how a simple idea can evolve into a manufacturing business with the potential to create jobs, build local production and contribute to the growth of the township economy.
About the podcast:
Kasi Business Podcast is powered by TEA. A weekly business podcast that seeks to unlock opportunities and practical resource tools to start and grow your business. We also profile corporate leaders, legendary Black business leaders, industry practitioners and entrepreneurs.
The podcast is hosted by Bulelani Balabala, an award-winning entrepreneur, business speaker and author.
The podcast aims to unlock opportunities and practical skills for micro-enterprises, startups and small businesses while sharing insight with professionals and policymakers.
For guest enquiries and partnerships:
info@JoinUsForTEA.co.za
011 572 1033
 #SmallBusiness #Manufacturing #FoodAndBeverage

Seshego Thabitha Kgopa is the founder and CEO of Smart Detergents, a growing South African cleaning-products manufacturing and supply company built from the ground up.

This episode unpacks:
Building a manufacturing business from a garage into a growing warehouse operation
The realities of sourcing raw materials, production, packaging and distribution
Growing a team from 0 to 10 employees
Reinvesting in the business and making difficult decisions as an entrepreneur
Learning from setbacks and navigating the challenges of building a growing business
Supplying households, businesses and distributors while expanding production capacity
The importance of entrepreneurship development, pitching and continuous learning
Creating jobs and opportunities through locally owned manufacturing
Building Smart Detergents into a recognised South African manufacturing brand
Available on YouTube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

#KasiBusinessPodcast #TownshipEntrepreneur #TownshipEconomy #JoinUsForTEA

Guest Bio:
Seshego Thabitha Kgopa is a South African entrepreneur, businesswoman and founder of Smart Detergents. With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Health Science and Social Services, majoring in Community and Health Psychology, Seshego brings together her understanding of people, business and community in her entrepreneurial journey.
She has built Smart Detergents from the ground up, navigating the complexities of manufacturing, sourcing, production, logistics, staffing and customer relationships. What started in a garage has grown into a warehouse-based operation with a team of 10 employees.
Her entrepreneurial achievements include being a Second Runner-Up in the Global Entrepreneurship Award hosted by Polokwane Municipality, a first-prize winner in a 2024 TEA pitching competition, an AWIEF Pitch Competition winner and alumna, as well as a GIBS alumna.
Today, Smart Detergents supplies cleaning products to households, businesses and distributors, while Seshego continues to focus on expanding the company's manufacturing capacity, creating employment and building a proudly South African manufacturing brand.
Her story is one of courage, perseverance and continuous learning. From starting with limited resources to building a growing manufacturing business, Seshego is demonstrating what is possible when entrepreneurs are willing to start, learn, reinvest and keep moving forward.
Her vision is to grow Smart Detergents into a recognised South African brand while creating jobs, supporting other entrepreneurs and contributing to the growth of locally owned businesses.
About the podcast:
Kasi Business Podcast is powered by TEA. A weekly business podcast that seeks to unlock opportunities and practical resource tools to start and grow your business. We also profile corporate leaders, legendary black business leaders, industry practitioners and entrepreneurs.
The podcast is hosted by Bulelani Balabala, an award-winning entrepreneur, business speaker and author.
The podcast aims to unlock opportunities and practical skills for micro-enterprises, startups and small businesses while sharing insight with professionals and policymakers.

For guest enquiries and partnerships:
info@JoinUsForTEA.co.za
011 572 1033

#TownshipEntrepreneur #TownshipEconomy #SmallBusiness

Bonolo Monakedi is the founder and owner of Entle Kiddies Hair Salon, a proudly South African children’s hair care brand created to provide young clients with a safe, fun and child-friendly hair care experience.
Inspired by her own experience as a mother and the challenge of finding a salon that truly understood the needs of children with natural hair, Bonolo turned a gap in the market into a growing business with four branches across Mamelodi, Atteridgeville, Soshanguve and Theresapark.

This episode unpacks:
- Turning a mother’s personal challenge into a business opportunity
- Building a child-focused brand in the township economy
- Creating safe and welcoming spaces where children feel confident and celebrated
- Growing from one salon into four branches
- Expanding beyond salon services into organic hair care products and accessories
- Building systems and maintaining consistency while scaling
- Building a purpose-driven brand for the next generation
- Turning a local business into a brand with bigger ambitions

Available on YouTube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

#KasiBusinessPodcast #TownshipEntrepreneur #TownshipEconomy #JoinUsForTEA #SmallBusiness

Guest Bio:
Bonolo Monakedi is the founder of Entle Kiddies Hair Salon, a proudly South African children’s hair care brand established in 2022. Driven by her experience as a mother, Bonolo identified a gap for a salon that could provide quality hair care in a safe, comfortable and child-friendly environment.

Today, Entle Kiddies has grown to four branches and has expanded its offering to include its own range of organic hair care products and accessories. Through Entle Kiddies, Bonolo is building more than a salon business. She is creating spaces where children can embrace their natural hair, build confidence and feel celebrated.

About the podcast:
Kasi Business Podcast is powered by TEA. A weekly business podcast that seeks to unlock opportunities and practical resource tools to start and grow your business. We also profile corporate leaders, legendary black business leaders, industry practitioners and entrepreneurs.

The podcast is hosted by Bulelani Balabala, an award-winning entrepreneur, business speaker and author. The podcast aims to unlock opportunities and practical skills for micro-enterprises, startups and small businesses while sharing insight with professionals and policymakers.

For guest enquiries and partnerships:
info@JoinUsForTEA.co.za
011 572 1033

#TownshipEntrepreneur #TownshipEconomy #SmallBusiness #KasiBusinessPodcast #JoinUsForTEA

Lufuno Rasoesoe is the founder and owner of TOSH Detergents, a proudly South African brand built on indigenous knowledge, sustainability and a commitment to creating social impact.

This episode unpacks:
- Building a business from indigenous knowledge and childhood heritage
- Turning a kitchen hobby into a growing commercial brand
- Building a sustainable business using local raw materials
- Creating opportunities for women and unemployed youth in rural and township communities
- Navigating production, regulations and formal markets
- Building an African brand with ambitions for global impact

Available on YouTube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

#KasiBusinessPodcast #TownshipEntrepreneur #TownshipEconomy #JoinUsForTEA

Guest Bio:
Lufuno Rasoesoe is the founder and owner of TOSH Detergents, a proudly South African brand rooted in indigenous knowledge, sustainability and social impact. Raised in Makwarela in Venda, Lufuno built a career in traditionally male-dominated industries before turning her childhood memories of her mother's soap-making techniques into a business during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Today, TOSH Detergents produces cleaning products using local raw materials while creating opportunities for women and unemployed youth from rural and township communities. Lufuno's vision is to build TOSH into a globally recognised African brand that demonstrates how heritage, innovation and purpose can create lasting impact.

About the podcast:
Kasi Business Podcast is powered by TEA. A weekly business podcast that seeks to unlock opportunities and practical resource tools to start and grow your business. We also profile corporate leaders, legendary black business leaders, industry practitioners and entrepreneurs. The podcast is hosted by Bulelani Balabala, an award-winning entrepreneur, business speaker and author. This podcast is aimed at unlocking opportunities and practical skills for micro-enterprises, startups and small businesses while sharing insight with professionals and policymakers.

For guest enquiries and partnerships:
info@JoinUsForTEA.co.za
011 572 1033

#TownshipEntrepreneur #JoinUsForTEA
#TownshipEconomy #SmallBusiness