About the Building Business Series
This story forms part of a series featuring the 22 entrepreneurs who participated in the 2025 Ranyaka Building Business (RBB) programme in Polokwane, Limpopo, and their journeys towards building stronger, more sustainable businesses.
RBB forms part of the overarching Nedbank Proud of My Town (PoMT) initiative, which is implemented nationally by Ranyaka. Nedbank’s total investment of R320,500 (amounting to just over R14,500 per entrepreneur) covered practical business training, compliance support, branding guidance, professional photography and pitching development, helping participants strengthen and formalise their businesses. Graduates also participated in Nedbank-led financial literacy sessions.
Building Business is one of ten programmes implemented through Ranyaka’s THRIVE model, which works to build thriving local economies and resilient communities by connecting entrepreneurs to networks, markets, opportunities and long-term support systems.
Today, we share the story of Refiloe “Fifi” Masemola from African Nosh.
A Piece of Home in Every Bowl of Ting
For Refiloe “Fifi” Masemola, founder of African Nosh, Ting is far more than food. It is heritage in a bowl, childhood mornings and culture served warm – a reminder of traditions that continue to nourish families today. Turning that heritage into a growing business has been a journey of resilience, learning and opportunity.
For Refiloe, this meant learning practical ways to run her business professionally, gaining confidence in pitching, and positioning Ting as a scalable product that can serve both informal buyers and structured markets.
BUILDING BUSINESS FORMS PART OF RANYAKA’S THRIVE MODEL FOR BUILDING THRIVING ECONOMIES AND RESILIENT COMMUNITIES. THE PROGRAMME GOES BEYOND TRAINING ENTREPRENEURS IN ISOLATION. IT LINKS SMALL PRODUCERS TO NETWORKS, PROCUREMENT PATHWAYS, AND SHARED SUPPORT SYSTEMS.
Heritage Meets Modern Entrepreneurship
Ting, a fermented sorghum dish, has fed generations of African families. Creamy, gently sour and comforting, it carries stories in every spoonful. Through African Nosh, Refiloe is ensuring that this heritage staple finds its place in modern kitchens, packaged and distributed for households, vendors, and retailers.
Refiloe’s entrepreneurial journey, shaped by resilience after losing her mother during university, has transformed African Nosh from a home-based venture into a growing enterprise.
“The loss of my mother forced me to grow up and face challenges head-on. Within me, I knew business was my thing,” says Refiloe.
The 5am Rhythm of a Dream in Motion
African Nosh begins before sunrise. Orders are packed, deliveries begin, and the day unfolds between motherhood and entrepreneurship. It is very clear that for Refiloe, entrepreneurship is not romantic. It is disciplined, daily, and built on consistency and trust.
“Businesses have ups and downs. The key is to stay disciplined and never give up,” she says.
Encouragement from loyal customers keeps her motivated to continue building African Nosh.
“I know the next level of my business depends on creating the right space to grow,” says Refiloe.
Feeding the Future
African Nosh’s growth reflects a broader shift toward strengthening local food value chains. When heritage products like Ting are produced, packaged, and distributed locally, they do more than feed families. They circulate income within communities, reduce dependence on distant supply chains, create livelihood pathways, and keep cultural traditions alive within modern economies.
“Small businesses create jobs, drive local growth and strengthen the economy,” says Refiloe. “One meal at a time, we are keeping culture alive.”
Proud of My Town, Proud of Our Entrepreneurs
Through the Nedbank Proud of My Town programme, implemented by Ranyaka, entrepreneurs like Refiloe are not only building businesses; they are building communities. Each bowl of Ting represents jobs, local growth, and cultural continuity.
African Nosh is proof that when heritage meets opportunity, small businesses can thrive, communities can grow stronger, and traditions can find new life in modern kitchens.
Ranyaka is the national implementation agent for the Nedbank Proud of My Town initiative. The Ranyaka Building Business programme focuses on enterprise development and is one of 10 programmes that Ranyaka is implementing in communities across South Africa.
Photographer: Kenanyah Films Photography