Ndumiso Madlala

Ndumiso Madlala (1975 or 1976 – 1 September 2025) was a South African brewer and businessman, best known as the founder of the Soweto Gold Beer brand and MadMead Brewing,^[1] one of the first commercially successful black-owned brewing ventures in South Africa. He later launched Eyethu Beverages, established Soweto's first microbrewery and promoted township entrepreneurship through his brewery initiatives.^[2]

Born in Natal, Madlala was the fourth of seven children. He held a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and earned a master's degree in the same field from the University of Twente in the Netherlands.^[3] His thesis was on a new technology that revolutionises the beer industry.^[4] Additionally, he completed a diploma in Brewing from the Institute of Brewing and Distilling, London in 2007, marking his formal entry into the brewing world.^[5]

Upon returning to South Africa, Madlala began his brewing career as a project engineer at SABMiller, and advanced to roles such as area manager at the Brutal Fruit plant in Chamdor.^[6] He later moved to Heineken, where he worked to launch the Sedibeng Brewery as a project brewer. Returning to SABMiller as a consultant/process engineer, he focused on improving brewing and filtration processes.

In 2013, Madlala left SABMiller to co-found MadMead Brewing Co., alongside Josef Schmid, through which he launched Soweto Gold Beer, brewed at the Soweto Brewing Company located in Soweto's Ubuntu Kraal.^[7][8][9] In his own words, Soweto Gold was inspired by the Johannesburg gold rush of 1886.^[10] His aim was to create a high-quality craft beer rooted in township culture and accessible to local consumers.^[11]

The company initially contract-brewed the Soweto Gold range while raising capital and securing development finance, including support from the Industrial Development Corporation. In 2014, MadMead opened the Ubuntu Kraal Brewery in Orlando West, Soweto.^[1] The first brewery located in a black township, it had an annual capacity of about 2 million litres. The portfolio included Soweto Gold Superior Lager (flagship), Soweto Gold Lady, Liquid Gold speciality beer, an Apple Ale and a Weiss.^[12]

Madlala publicly described the brand's aim as making a locally rooted beer for township consumers and visitors, and as part of a broader push for “economic freedom” through township manufacturing.^[13]

In October 2017, Heineken South Africa acquired Soweto Brewing Company/Soweto Gold, integrating the brand into its portfolio and moving production of certain SKUs to Heineken's Sedibeng brewery (including returnable 750 ml packaging). Analyses and trade reports framed the deal as part of Heineken's expansion in South African craft and premium segments.^[14][15][16]

Following the transaction, Madlala and Schmid remained involved in brewing and brand custodianship, while Heineken scaled national availability of Soweto Gold Superior Golden Lager.^[17][18]

In 2019, the Gauteng Provincial Government announced the launch of Eyethu Beverages by Madlala, describing it as a majority black-owned producer of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and noting prior provincial recognition of Madlala as “Best Township Entrepreneur” (2016).^[19]

Madlala died on 1 September 2025, at the age of 49, after being treated for liver failure for three years. He will be buried in his homestead in Elandskop, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal.^[20][21][22]