Brewsters Academy returns: Empowering brewers and reviving the craft.

Gone are the days when women were always led in all industries. This narrative is changing across many countries and sectors, and we are here to recognize and celebrate these breakthroughs. In this edition, we revisit the journey of Apiwe Nxusani-Mawela, a familiar face in our publication due to her inspiring story, which we've documented before.

This time, we're excited to announce that Brewsters Academy, formerly known as Brewsters Craft, is back in action. For those who may not know her - and it’s high time you did - Apiwe Nxusani-Mawela is the founder of Tolokazi, a Proudly South African beer brand. She is not just any brewer; Apiwe is the first Black woman to own a microbrewery in South Africa.

Apiwe holds a BSc in Microbiology from Wits University and an Honours degree from the University of Pretoria. She also has a Master Brewer qualification from the Institute of Brewing and Distilling, making her highly accomplished in her field. Her journey into brewing began with a fascination for biotechnology. "My interest in brewing started when I attended an open day at Rand Afrikaans University (RAU), now known as University of Johannesburg (UJ) and was fascinated by the study of biotechnology. Beer brewing is essentially a biotechnological process," she explains.

Apiwe’s journey has not been without challenges. From raising funds to meet financial requirements, securing a manufacturing license, finding a space to operate, to dealing with the impacts of COVID-19 on the alcohol industry, she has faced it all. Despite these obstacles, Apiwe's resilience and love for brewing have kept her moving forward.

Brewsters Academy is South Africa’s first Black brewster-owned academy, offering contract brewing, consulting, training, and laboratory facilities. It is also the first QCTO-accredited brewing school in South Africa, focusing on beer-making, cider-making, and industry-related compliance training. The academy's mission is to educate and empower, particularly targeting Black women across the African continent.

Apiwe has been a significant figure in the brewing industry, serving as the chairperson of both the Africa Section of the Institute of Brewing and Distilling and the Beer Association of South Africa. Through these roles, she has advanced brewing qualifications, especially for Black women.

After leaving South African Breweries (SAB) in 2015, Apiwe partnered to start Brewhogs Microbrewery in Kyalami, which she ran as a brew mistress. She then founded Brewsters Craft, now Brewsters Academy, initially focusing on training and consultation. "Next, I decided to add a brewing facility and offer brewing services for brewsters," she says.

The academy is also accredited by FoodBev SETA. In addition to their educational programs, Brewsters Academy is also bringing back the Mqombothi Brewing Competition 2025, an annual event that started in 2019 to promote and celebrate African brewing heritage.

One of the most significant moments in Apiwe's journey was receiving a direct message from James, the founder of Beer52, a UK-based beer distribution company. With about 100,000 subscribers, Beer52 asked her to brew Tolokazi beer for distribution in the UK and Belgium, expanding her brand's global footprint.

Apiwe Nxusani-Mawela’s story reflects passion, perseverance, and breaking barriers in the brewing industry. As she continues to grow her brand and contribute to the industry, Apiwe serves as an inspiration to many aspiring brewers. Her mantra is simple but powerful: “When things aren’t working out, let things be…but find alternative ways to reach your end goal.”

For more, visit: Brewsters Academy