Thembeni barista Thando Ndlele has brewed her way to a brighter future after overcoming homelessness and abuse as a teenager.

The 32-year-old opened the popular Club Coffee mobile truck at Salt Rock main beach in June, which has quickly become a community staple for surfers, beachgoers, dog walkers and everyone in between. Her welcoming stand is a far cry from the surroundings she endured as a teen, however.

“I grew up on the streets of Shakaskraal,” said Thando, who now lives in Thembeni with her 10-year-old daughter, Kuhlenkosini.

“My mother was in a toxic, abusive relationship and the treatment was terrible. Her boyfriend beat me and my brothers. I chose the street to get away from the abuse at the age of 15.”

Thando’s life began to change when she was employed as a domestic worker in Ballito. In 2012, the family she worked for helped her secure a cleaning job at the Ballito Lifestyle Centre.

“It’s where my life really began,” she said.

A few years later, Thando made the move into hospitality when the owner of a local café franchise offered her a job. Over the next decade, she honed her skills at several of Ballito’s top coffee houses, always holding onto the dream of owning her own business.

With support from the Strydom family from Ballito, who loaned her the start-up funds, Thando opened Club Coffee, which now serves the community seven days a week. Her menu includes coffees, smoothies, freezos, iced coffees and more recently, bacon and egg rolls for hungry surfers.

“The local community has been very supportive of me,” she said.

“There’s a crew called the Salt Rockers, who are always here having my coffee after playing padel.”

Looking ahead, Thando dreams of opening a barista training school to help others who face limited employment opportunities.

“I want to help people who did not get an opportunity to go to school.”

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