Husband-and-wife entrepreneur team Lazola and Malebo Xaba are turning a passion for flavour into a thriving business.
Through their brand, Spykos Spices, the couple produces a range of locally crafted spice blends aimed at households and commercial kitchens, with bold ambitions to expand across South Africa and beyond.
The concept was born a year ago when Lazola began researching spice formulation, leading to their official business launch in August.
The word spykos draws deep connections to kasi street culture, Sunday kos, and traditional braais—food traditions that bring diverse communities together across cultural boundaries.
Lazola’s journey into spice blending stems from a lifelong love for cooking and braaing. Often taking charge of the grill at gatherings, he began experimenting with unique spice combinations that quickly gained praise from friends and colleagues.
“Food brings us together around family tables, fires, kitchens, and braais, with recipes passed from one generation to the next,” Lazola explained. “Spykos was born from that heritage, inspired by the flavours we grew up with. We believe great food should taste incredible while offering a mindful choice, which is why our blends contain less salt and no added MSG. Spykos takes the soul of our heritage and brings it into the modern kitchen—bold, authentic flavour made for everyone. Every sprinkle carries a story, every bite a memory, and every meal a taste of home.”
To maintain quality, the couple collaborates closely with VKB Milling Company in Mokopane, Limpopo, where they live, to mill fresh spices before hand-blending them at home. The business relies heavily on local support, sourcing bottles from local suppliers and using nearby printing shops for branding and label design.
Although the business is newly established, Lazola is actively pitching to retailers. While facing initial rejections, Spykos Spices secured its first shelf placement at Netsa Foods in Mokopane, along with support from a local butcher.
Looking ahead, the founders plan to expand their range, launch an e-commerce website to drive direct sales, and distribute their blends to butcheries nationwide. Ultimately, they aim to open a dedicated storefront that will feature Spykos alongside other local brands, building a foundation to export authentic South African flavours internationally.
