If you cycle or drive around the Cape Peninsula, you know Scarborough’s The Village Hub and its small coffee stop outside. Whether you’ve visited once or come there regularly, you know the guys and girls who serve you with a smile and attentiveness, never too busy for a short chat.
One of these guys is Rodney, who, like so many people in South Africa, came to the country at 17 looking for a job and landed one. When you visit The Hub, chances are great he’ll be around working the coffee machine. Since coming to Cape Town, Rodney has been gaining knowledge about what it takes to run a small business and saving money to start his own.
Malawi is best known for its agriculture, exporting goods like sugarcane, tea, potatoes, and tobacco to the rest of the world. The country is also home to several distinct coffee-growing regions. According to CoffeeWDY, “Malawi primarily cultivates Arabica coffee, known for its superior quality and distinct flavor profiles. Arabica coffee plants thrive in the high-altitude regions of Malawi, benefiting from the cool temperatures and adequate rainfall that contribute to the development of nuanced flavors in the beans. While other varieties, such as Robusta, are grown in the country, Arabica remains the dominant and sought-after variety for its exceptional cup quality.”
Maloto
2023 has been a tough year. As Rodney is from Blantyre, his family was heavily affected by Hurricane Freddy in the beginning of 2023. An uncle and three of his nephews died in the disaster and the storm wiped out his livestock, meaning seven caws. Additionally, he lost his brother, who was staying with him in Cape Town, in a fatal accident.
Rodney’s hometown Salima is near Lake Malawi National Park. Located at the southern end of the great expanse of Lake Malawi, with its deep, clear waters and mountain backdrop, the national park is home to many hundreds of fish species, nearly all endemic. Its importance for the study of evolution is comparable to that of the finches of the Galapagos Islands (source: Unesco).
Next July, Rodney is planning on going back to make Maloto (The Dream) a reality: a coffee shop of his own. You can show your support by donating any amount to his fundraiser campaign. In the meantime we dream about riding to Malawi from South Africa to end up at Lake Malawi shores.
Photos by Milan Goldbach
With specials thanks to Rodney and The Village Hub, Scarborough (Cape Town).
