By: Sizakele Nduli
Imagine a place where women from all walks of life come together, not just to enjoy a glass of wine, but to build lasting bonds, share stories and empower one another. This was the vision that led Nolupho Makwetu from Khayelitsha in Cape Town to establish Sisterhood Wines in 2023.
Makwetu, a medical doctor by profession, told Vutivi News that the vision for her wine brand has now grown to include not just social connections, but also a focus on economic empowerment and environmental sustainability. “Sisterhood Wines is committed to sourcing grapes from women-owned vineyards, supporting women-led initiatives and reducing our carbon footprint,” she said.
But this is not all for Makwetu, who is determined to find more ways to empower women. Her company now has brand ambassadors in Cape Town and KwaZulu-Natal and is actively planning on expanding its ambassador programme to other regions. “As a new brand, we are committed to creating income-generating opportunities for our ambassadors. They currently earn commissions on wine sales and event hosting,” she explained.
Makwetu is the sole founder of Sisterhood Wines. She revealed that she funded the business using her personal savings and consistently reinvested the profits back into her business. This approach has enabled her to maintain complete control and ownership of her company. “While I’m proud of what we’ve achieved so far, I would love to secure a sponsor or investor to help take the business to the next level and expand our reach and impact,” she added.
Makwetu admitted that navigating the male-dominated wine industry, coupled with the challenges of securing funding and establishing a strong online presence, was not a walk in the park. “I overcame these obstacles by leveraging my medical background to approach problems with a scientific mindset, seeking guidance from mentors and peers and staying true to my core values,” she said.
Despite these challenges, Sisterhood Wines has seen undeniable growth in hosting wine tastings in both kasi and suburban areas, expanding its reach and growing a loyal customer base. Makwetu’s business is still in its infancy stage, but she hopes to get her wines on retail shelves soon. “We are currently in meetings with retailers to explore listing opportunities,” she said.
Her wines include red varieties like Merlot, Shiraz, Pinotage and a semi-sweet Shiraz, and two white options – Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc. Each bottle costs R100 with the option to purchase a box of six for R600. “Although I haven’t yet generated a profit, the true reward lies in the community we’ve built. Witnessing women uplift and support one another, fixing each other’s crowns, and being there for each other has brought me immense joy. The smiles on women’s faces and the heartfelt ‘thank yous’ I receive make every effort worth it,” she said. Sisterhood Wines can be ordered directly through its Facebook page.
