Ineeleng Kavindama pays tribute to her native Okavango

That is the time when the crepuscular rays of the sun play magic on the western horizon at the approach of dusk as they would have done at dawn. “Kathiku Beverages is about paying homage to my fatherland in the Okavango Delta and about paying tribute to our country’s tourism sector,” she told Executive Lifestyle in an interview. “Kathiku Beverages is about the Big 5 that are in five flavours of my beverage collection represented by the Big 5 animals of the Okavango Delta.”

The elephant is in Kavindama’s handcrafted pure gin, the Lion in her vodka, the Leopard in her Kathiku Elder Flower & Rose infused gin, the Buffalo in the Kathiku Blondie Cream Liqueur, and the Rhino is for the Kathiku English Toffee Cream Liqueur. This is the work of businesswoman, fashion fanatic and socialite, Ineeleng Kavindama, that is adding to her existing businesses, among them a boutique styled Brands Emporium and a car dealership called Vintage Classics.

Kavindama has made her mark in the business world. Her inspiration for hatching Kathiku came after the world took a shift in the advent of COVID-19. “I have been in the business of medical equipment for more than a decade and it was time I diversified,” she said. “COVID-19 played a role in pushing me into the digital platform where the world is going, hence introduction of our online beverages store to transact online through www.kathikubeverages.com.

“We are also in the vintage car hire business and we saw the need to identify an area that could complement that line of business.” Beverages often unite people in celebrations and are used to enhance enjoyment of every occasion. In the case of Kavindama, Kathiku does not only introduce the finest flavours but spices up every occasion.

“The Kathiku Big 5 Collection has five different flavours for different taste buds,” she noted. “All the flavours are smooth and most mixable with whatever dash one may desire. These are best served before sunset during the magic hour, as the name suggests.

“They are handcrafted and packed in South Africa for convenience as we are starting out, but we will be bottling and packaging for ourselves next year as soon as we are settled in the market. We’ll be introducing our own homegrown Botswana flavours. The range will be appreciated by all adults over the age of 18.”

In the course of this festive season, Kathiku will be sold online through the company’s website, as well as at Crocodile Camp and Spa in Maun. “The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive so far,” Kavindama told Executive Life. “I have been approached to collaborate with many event organisers, local DJs and local hotels. The response from local retailers is positive, with most of them considering listing in the New Year. “

This vivacious young woman has a store for her other businesses but will not be opening one for Kathiku, at least not yet. “The world is moving towards e-commerce and so there is no immediate pressure to open my own shop,” she noted. “What is important is to establish a reliable distribution network to meet my obligations and demand,” she said.

Kathiku Beverages recently clinched a partnership with Ytv and will be collaborating with the channel for advertising and running promotions in the course of this festive season and possibly for major holidays in the future. Kathiku Beverages is already a sponsor for Latty’s YouTube channel, Smash or Pass, which features most local artists. “As a former fashion designer, I believe in supporting local,” she explained.

“I am using local graphic artists and even mixologists for mixing cocktails. I believe in using raw talent and giving them the platform to shine. That’s why I always give credit for all the work that they do with me in my Facebook posts.” She is looking at bottling and distributing Kathiku Beverages in Botswana next year when she also hopes she will introduce wines and MCC champagnes to the range. “We offer a variety of alcohol from spirits to bottled wines and even canned wines and MCCs,” Kavindama said. “We satisfy all taste buds.”