Passion for Coffee Helps Turn Former SA Gangster’s Life Around

Simonstown is one of Cape Town’s oldest spots, retaining all its historical authenticity… writes Sebastian Daniels. As you walk down Simonstown Main Road in the morning, the streets are filled with navy officers running and riding their day into gear. While that sounds like a great way to start the day, I’d rather get a kick of caffeinated coffee. In dire need of some real coffee mojo, I spotted an oasis in the distance, a coffee oasis they call Kukoma.

Kukoma is a slick and stylish spot with smooth wooden tables, greenery and glass that will lighten up your morning. While the spot is superb, the real magic happens behind the bar, especially considering there is only one guy…

Simphiwe initially worked at Gangstar in Mowbray but was then headhunted to open Kukoma because they felt he made the best cuppa coffee in town!

While his coffee kicks ass, his story could move you to tears.

Simphiwe grew up in Milnerton and got influenced into doing and selling drugs when he was only a teenager. He says it was because everyone said he wasn’t “hard” because he was from the “suburbs”.

Simphiwe was first arrested in 2006 when he was only 17, after he tried to steal things out of people’s cars. He spent a short time in Pollsmoor, where he planned more crimes with inmates, and was released shortly afterwards with the intention of carrying them out.

He lived his life of crime and gangsterism, even after getting shot numerous times and being hospitalized for three months.

Simphiwe got arrested a few more times until he was sentenced to 18 years at Drakenstein prison for robbery with aggravation.

In prison, he joined the 26’s, the prison gang notorious for robberies, and quickly built a reputation as one of the top smugglers in prison. He says he could get you almost anything you wanted, at a price of course.

The gangster life started to lose its appeal and Simphiwe felt he was destined for more. An old friend, Vuyo, who had become a pastor, visited Simphiwe and encouraged him to follow the light of God and believe that he could turn his life around.

Shortly after this, Simphiwe won an entrepreneurial competition for his idea for a mobile coffee shop and became known as “The Coffee Guy” in prison.

After he finished his sentence, he was released and this time he decided to follow the light of God rather than his life of crime. He started at Gangstar Café where he worked wizardry as a barista before being headhunted to open Kukoma in Simonstown.

Kukoma is the spot to be at in Simonstown, especially if you’re looking for an office for the day. It won’t be your normal office though. It will be an inspirational space to help you think of how you can turn your life around.

Pop in and have a chat with Simphiwe, he’s one of the most open, inspiring and interesting people I’ve ever met. Chat to him, talk the talk and let him make you one of the best prepared coffees in Cape Town.

View the original article and more photos here.

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Sebastian Daniels is a writer and social entrepreneur with a passion for integrating people of all races, cultures and genders. He lives and works between the worlds of Khayelitsha and Cape Town. His website Coffee Shop Blues is a review based website aimed at making Africa the centre of coffee culture, bringing it back to where it was born.

MORE

• Find out more about Kukoma coffee shop.
• Read more of Sebastian Daniels’ inspiring stories on Coffee Shop Blues