Sbu's Story

Sbu is the Sett’s resident Coffee barrister. His passion for creating the perfect cappuccino is evident in every serving and his warm smile is a constant reminder that he is a person who truly loves what he does. 

Sbu is a young man who has overcome many personal challenges to get him to where he is today. From a lonely life on the streets to the success of the Sett, his realizations and insights are an inspiration to us all. This is his story...

Sbusiso Justice Nkolothi arrived in Durban on the 10th February 2010, after leaving his hometown of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. With the world’s focus on South Africa as the place to be for the world cup, he decided that is was time to start his life over, in a new place, leaving behind his family and everything familiar to him from his 27 years. With the promise of a job in Durban, he arrived alone, with nothing but a new name that he has given himself: Sbu (which means ‘Blessing’.) 

Life in Durban was not what he had anticipated. The job did not materialize, and opportunities were not abounding. Sbu’s first two months were spent living on the street, until finally at the end of April he got a job at a fast food restaurant on South Beach. The job meant he had somewhere to stay and food but… no salary. His daily allowance of R20 provided a night sleep at the local shelter. Encouraged by this small improvement, he kept working as hard as he could. After 4 months, the shop closed and he was given a token salary of R600. Quickly he got another job – part time, for R30 a day, (which of course didn’t cover rent and food) but within a month his salary increased to over R1000 per month. Hard work was paying off and life was beginning. 

Then opportunity struck when he was given a chance to be a runner at Durban’s well loved, Mama Luciano’s restaurant and bar. Feeling revitalized and positive with his new good fortune, Sbu worked harder than he ever had before, putting his all into it. From cleaning, being one of the kitchen staff, to becoming a waiter and barman, he did whatever he could to learn and challenge himself. By October 2010, the restaurant’s owner, Marco doubled his wage. Unfortunately shortly after, Sbu’s new found confidence tipped into arrogance and he started to steel money from the bar. He was quickly caught but instead of being fired, Marco gave him a choice:

Pay a R200 fine and stay or leave instantly. 

His choice was a blessing and at that moment, Sbu made a promise to Marco and himself that never again, would he let money control him. He admitted his crime and decided to choose an honest path for himself where the opportunity to learn would replace the chance to chase money. 

His mistake had cost him Marco’s trust and it was up to him to do everything he could to redeem himself and earn it back. With his new insight he used the opportunity to challenge, grow and improve. 

Life at Mama Luciano’s taught Sbu about:

• Forgiveness, 
• Developed his passion to understand people, 
• Gave him the ability to deal with strong personalities and 
• Began his love affair with coffee…

He was kept on his toes, had to think on his feet, and was never allowed to be lazy. In 2011 Spu met Raymond the Deli chef and started working with him. Ray was an excellent motivator for Spu, by leading through example- never tired, negative or depressed, with huge passion for his purpose. Soon, the two became friends. 

Life with all its ups and downs was guiding Sbu up a path of self-improvement. Following Ray’s guidance, he focused on being friendly, engaging, honest and hardworking.

Unbeknown to him, a certain group of the restaurant’s locals, were also the founders of the Sett and in February 2013, Sbu got a call for a job interview to operate the Sett’s canteen, be the Coffee Barrister and serve the co-workers. At this time, Ray’s kitchen was also providing the daily lunches to the Sett. 

Walking into an empty room and being told to visualize a vibrant space filled with desks and working people was a stretch of his imagination, but Sbu took a leap of faith and held the opportunity given to him. He believed that what was described to him would be all that they said it could be…. that this one place would change his life. And he was right…

“Being a part of the Sett is like coming home. I have found the right space for me. There is so much support, great opportunity and I have so much respect for the people and the place. The people truly care and I have experienced love like I have never felt before- it’s like family. When I wake up, I don’t think, I am going to work- I feel like I am just enjoying my life. There is nothing I’d rather do. This is the kind of life that I dreamed of when I left Zimbabwe. I am so thankful and truly and blessed to be apart of this.”

Sbu has learnt that even when you can’t change your environment, you can still change your perception. This gives you personal empowerment and stops you from stressing so much about an uncertain future. Patience, respect and loyalty are vital in a work culture as well as constant gratitude. Although life will test you, every day, you must strive to a better person. 

Sbu is a prime example, that we all have a story of why we are where we are today, that the people we meet forever change and shape us and that life is ultimately, a blessing to us all.