QUEENERY WINES

Queenery Wines Hleloluhle Sthandiwe ZwaneBy

I' ve always looked up to Bonang, when she launched her BNG house champagne at a very young age I was so inspired.

Founder and owner of Queenery Wines is the 20 year old Hleloluhle Sthandiwe Zwane. Bred and moulded in Paulpietersburg Northern KwaZuluNatal where she still resides. Hlelo went to Paulpietersburg Primêre Skool prior attending at Vryheid Comprehensive Secondary School for he higher grades. She matriculated in 2019, and was busy upgrading her marks in 2020.

Please share when did you commence with this wine brand and what inspired you to go for it? “I started with Queenery Wines in 05 Nov 2020, when I was about to write my final examinations. Honestly, starting a wine brand was never in my head but an influenced thought by my role model Bonang Matheba. I've always looked up to Bonang, when she launched her BNG house champagne at a very young age I was so inspired. That’s when I also thought having my own wine brand could actually be something that might change my life”.

Challenges you faced when commencing with QUEENERY wines and how did you react to those? “The moment I had this winery idea, I had no actual capital at all but savings from the cash my dad used to give, so I had to use those savings to start my business. The other challenge was to find resources but fortunately I met a guy by the name of Alex Mbatha from my neighborhood, who knew more about this idea of mine. From that day he became my mentor and I'm so grateful to have met him”.

What has been the highlight of your business this far?“The highlights of my business are not much this but all I can say so far I have managed to do wine promotions at Paulpietersburg Spar Tops, which included wine tasting too. I also had a Mother's day special for my customers, the first three customers received wine bags and wine glass. The other 7 customers received a free wine bag. On the 29th of May we had a wine tasting event in one of our local Embizo Royal Lifestyle Lounge”.

Lastly, your advice to other youth who would want to start a business? “I would say whatever business it is you have in mind - go for it, don't wait on anyone. Strive for what you want and go for it. There are many distractions out there but if you know what you want, don’t let any of those distractions to stand in your way. Lastly, do your research".

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