How Mhlengi Ngcobo Built CoffeeMM Through Grit and Vision
How Mhlengi Ngcobo Built CoffeeMM Through Grit and Vision. At just 13 years old, Mhlengi Ngcobo was diagnosed with hypertension, a medical warning that shook his world. Doctors told him to stop consuming caffeinated drinks, but instead of turning away from coffee, he grew fascinated. He dove into research, eager to understand caffeine’s true effects and health implications. That curiosity ignited a lifelong connection to coffee.
From Classroom Project to Entrepreneurial Leap
While studying civil engineering at Stellenbosch University, Mhlengi used an academic project to simulate launching a coffee roastery. The project ignited something deeper. With his last R150 and a bicycle, he launched CoffeeMM in 2017 and even dropped out of university the same day to pursue his vision fully.
Selling Just One Bag of Coffee Was a Lesson
The first year was humble: CoffeeMM sold only 1 kg of coffee, earning R225. But that small start offered massive insight. Mhlengi taught himself everything, from branding and marketing to roasting and customer engagement.
Cycling Hundreds of Kilometres to Serve Customers
With no vehicle at first, Mhlengi cycled between 240 and 400 km per week across Bellville, Durbanville, Somerset West, Strand and Paarl to deliver orders. His commitment paid off: by late 2018, he had enough to buy a delivery vehicle, ushering in a new chapter for CoffeeMM’s growth.
Scaling Up with Roastery, Café, and Academy
CoffeeMM expanded into physical storefronts with a coffee shop in Stellenbosch, later adding one in Somerset West. Though the latter closed due to Covid impacts and high overhead, the brand kept growing. They opened a roastery supplying Stellenbosch University, local coffee shops, and restaurants. In 2023, they launched CoffeeMM Academy, offering training in entrepreneurship, barista skills, roasting and marketing, with a mission to uplift communities through coffee.
Empowering Communities and Sourcing with Purpose
CoffeeMM is built not just on coffee, but on empowerment. Mhlengi sources green beans from smallholder farmers across Rwanda, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Burundi, creating fair, value‑chain opportunities for those producers. His efforts also include coffee and barista training for unemployed youth.
Strategic Milestones at a Glance
- Hypertension diagnosis sparks curiosity about coffee
- Launches CoffeeMM with R150 and a bicycle; drops out of university
- Purchases a delivery vehicle, expands reach
- Opens roastery in Stellenbosch and café locations
- Launches CoffeeMM Academy for skills training
- Supplies local institutions, serves through e-commerce, and nurtures collective impact
Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
- Turn personal challenges into purpose: Mhlengi’s health scare became the seed of his business vision.
- Start small, learn fast: Selling one bag taught him more than theoretical lessons ever could.
- Deliver under any conditions: Cycling hundreds of kilometres showed clients that service matched passion.
- Adapt boldly: The journey from student to entrepreneur, learning on the go, reflects a deep adaptability.
- Build for impact: CoffeeMM connects farmers to markets and offers training to youth, showing business as a force for good.
- Expand intelligently: Physical storefronts, academy and roastery were added when CoffeeMM was sustainable enough to support them.
Why CoffeeMM’s Story Matters
CoffeeMM is more than a coffee brand, it is a movement rooted in resilience, curiosity, and community upliftment. Mhlengi Ngcobo built a thriving business from a small apartment using courage and commitment. Today, CoffeeMM embodies the power of coffee to change lives, not just through taste, but through meaningful access, skills, and opportunities.
For any young entrepreneur aiming to build a brand with purpose, Mhlengi’s story offers a powerful narrative: start where you are, learn with grit, serve with heart, and let your business be a gateway to empowerment.
