By Fahdia Msaka
In 2017, entrepreneur Mbonisi Nduna Ndlovu embarked on a journey that addressed the gap that most societies in South Africa face due to the severe racial inequalities that have become embedded in our nation.
He started an attempt to create accessibility and convenience uncommon in townships. Ndlovu owned Mbo’s Tshisa Nyama, located at Mandisa’s Place in Fingo Village. This is where he discovered the gap because certain customers could not purchase his product due to the lack of transport. To bridge this gap and cater to the needs of his community, Ndlovu introduced free delivery services to those who couldn’t make it to the tavern. The response from customers was overwhelmingly positive. The convenience of having Mbo’s Tshisa Nyama’s product delivered to their doorstep was a hit. It soon became evident that there was a demand for this service, and Ndlovu seized the opportunity to turn it into a thriving business.
As time passed, he introduced nominal delivery charges, charging just R20 for local deliveries and R30 for those in the surrounding areas, such as Joza and in town. Surprisingly, customers readily accepted these charges, valuing the convenience and quality of his delivery service.
In 2022, Ndlovu saw an opportunity to expand his business further. He noticed that a number of popular local food chains did not deliver to the township due to security concerns – their delivery vehicles had been victims of muggings in recent times. To address this gap, Ndlovu began delivering from town to the township and officially named his business “Kasi Delivery Services”.
Ndlovu is in the process of negotiating a collaboration with the food chains. In the meanwhile, customers order their food online and contact Kasi Delivery Services for collection on their behalf. Ndlovu and his team either pay for the food or request the full food and delivery fees. Customers can choose to pay online, and their food will get picked, and they would pay the delivery fee when the food gets delivered.
The service has provided a cost-effective solution for residents, eliminating the need to spend money on transport – a taxi ride to town and back could cost up to R30, which could be better spent on a delicious meal delivered right to their doorstep while they complete errands within their household.
Kasi Delivery Services swiftly became an integral part of the Makhanda community, offering not only convenience but also empowerment and a source of local employment as Ndlovu has seven people working for him.
