Ballito entrepreneur launches new line of chilli sauces alongside wine label
Siphelele Ngidi was nicknamed “caterpillar” as a young child, but has now fully blossomed into a successful businesswoman.
Ballito entrepreneur Siphelele Ngidi is bringing the “local is lekker” spirit to life with her homegrown brands, McChillie sauce and Emgard Wines.
Like a caterpillar emerging from its chrysalis, Ngidi has transformed from a rural Maphumulo farmer into an innovative entrepreneur.
The 40-year-old launched Emgard Wines in 2020 after two years of market research. Starting with just 300 bottles, she now supplies her wine to select retailers, including Spar in Umdloti.
Although production currently takes place in Cape Town, Ngidi has plans to relocate wine production to Ndwedwe.
“Bringing the crop closer to home will create many opportunities for locals,” she said.
Just last month, Ngidi expanded her brand further by launching McChillie sauce, a hot sauce made from chillies from her own garden. The idea to start her own brand was sparked when she secured a contract to supply Spur with chillies for their in-house sauce. Inspired, she set out to create her own fiery, flavourful chilli sauce, experimenting in her kitchen until she perfected the taste.
“I didn’t follow a recipe, I just knew what I wanted it to taste like,” she said.
Growing up in Embitane, Maphumulo, she learned the value of agriculture from her mother and grandmother, who planted yams and avocados for extra income. This exposure eventually led her to establish Mcimbi Agricultural Produce. Her business supplies chillies, spinach and green beans to retailers like Spar and Boxer.
The name Mcimbi is a nod to her childhood nickname, icimbi (Zulu for caterpillar), a reminder of her growth and transformation. Today, she farms chillies in Maphumulo and grows other crops on a farm in Ndwedwe, employing 14 permanent staff and up to 44 seasonal workers during peak harvest.
Ngidi built her businesses using her own capital, and running a farm came with its own challenges.
“We struggled with losses for two years before I secured contracts with major retailers,” she said.
Adapting her approach, she introduced tunnel farming to increase production and sustain growth.
Contact Siphelele at 078 215 2278 to order wine or chilli sauce.
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