LOVE ANIMALS –JUST NOT FOR DINNER”

In 2016, Sinenhlanhla Ndlela founded Yococo, a dairy-free artisanal ice cream brand based in Johannesburg that supplies Cape Town and Durban. Currently, she is responsible for developing the recipes, producing her sought-after ice cream, and distributing it herself.

Since then, Sinenhlanhla’s business has attracted many clients, garnered media coverage, and earned her of several prestigious awards. Making the list of the Top 200 Mail & Guardian young people in South Africa being one of them.

Yococo was also chosen by Investec as one of the brands to be in their programme in Amsterdam. To increase the distribution of her ice cream, she plans to partner with large retailers in the country.

Can you tell us more about Yococo and how it came about?

In 2016, I started Yococo because I wanted to find an answer to the question I had about my existence. What is the purpose of my presence here? Is there a purpose I am serving? The answer at the time looked like Yococo, serving love and the best way to do that was through dairy free ice cream.

What makes Yococo different from its competitors? Our flavours are loosely based on the seven chakras and we use as many locally sourced ingredients as possible.

Is there anything you wish someone told you before you launched your business? I wish someone told me how long success actually takes.

What is your staff complement? We are a team of four with outsourced members.

Where do you see your business in the next five years? I see my business covering more retail space and employing more young people.