Local lads produce first South African rum

CLINTON Wyness and Wayne Oliver have set the bar pretty high for their fellow South Africans as the two recently made the first South African produced rum.

About 13 years in the making, and 11 years of paperwork to get past, Clinton and Wayne are the proud makers of Zulu Rum.

“As far as we know, South Africa was the only sugarcane producing country that did not have its own rum,” Clinton said.

The business partners hired a chemical engineer, who is a specialist distiller, to distil the rum in eManzimtoti for them and the rest is, as they say, history.

The two Durban North residents believe their range is smooth and it’s an added bonus that it is produced locally.

“The only part of the rum that is not made in KwaZulu-Natal is the bottle and the cap, which are made in Cape Town. It’s also important to note that the bottle is a recycled one,” Clinton added.

Not only have they set the benchmark for future rum producers in South Africa, but the two were also invited to Italy for the Italy Rum Festival. Because they were invited to this festival, they are also on the guest list of other invite-only festivals around the world.

“The festival was fantastic. We left South Africa on 17 October, arrived in Italy on 18 October and we were wined and dined all weekend.

“Those who tasted the rum said the quality was outstanding for a new rum,” Clinton said.

Clinton and Wayne were also lucky enough to be visited by Nomatemba Tambo (the South African ambassador to the Italian Republic and Permanent Representative to the UN Organisation in Rome) and other delegates, on both days.

For Wayne and Clinton exciting times lie ahead as there are two major international orders in the pipeline.

The rum is available from Riverside, Ridge and uMhlanga Tops as well as Riverside Hops and Some Place Else.