The owner of the Greyton coffee brand, Soa se Koffie, only goes by Soa. This is how the community knows her.
She grew up in Greyton, in part. Her other home was Paternoster. “I’m always telling people that I’m from Paternoster and Greyton.”
After finishing high school in 2004, Soa worked as a waiter at various establishments in Greyton. It was in this capacity that she discovered her love and passion for coffee. When she was 32, her dream finally came true and Soa se Koffie – a portable coffee truck – opened for business on 25 September 2018.
Many Greytonians refer to Soa as this Overberg village’s heartbeat. She is a well-known figure who is transforming the neighborhood one cup of coffee at a time. PHOTO: Kara van der Merwe
The gangs
Soa spent her teenage years traveling between two small towns and sums up her childhood in two words: comfortable and chaotic.
“My father was jailed a lot for lobster poaching in Paternoster,” says Soa, who refers to the coastal town as “lobster heaven.”
“The very first time we ever went to visit my father in prison we were in a hall with all the other tronkvoëls.” Soon after the first visit, Soa’s father began working in the warden’s garden so that Soa could visit him at the warden’s house instead.
“He did everything he could to protect us from that world.” She remembers her late father with fondness.
“You see, my father was a 27,” Soa states, referring to the 27 gang. “I was in grade 11 when he told us his secret.”
Soa’s iconic slogan “Gevaarlikste Barista en Roaster”, acknowledges her tough upbringing. PHOTO: Kara van der Merwe
Once, he had to help a couple of gang members who needed a place to stay. Since her father owned a house in Greyton – which stood empty at the time – he decided it would be best for them to stay there.
“It is the same house that I live in today,” Soa says. She jokes that this coincidence must be where she gets her hustling nature from.
“My father called a family meeting before they arrived. He shaved his hair and showed us the 27 tattoos on his scalp,” she recalls.
Prior to that, they weren’t aware of their dad’s involvement in the gangs.
“There were always well-dressed men at our house with all their suits hanging in our closet but we just thought they were a part of our family,” Soa says.
“[Soa] was tough growing up, but she was tough for all the right reasons,” says Mirchel Coetzee, Soa’s older sister. Even though Mirchel is older, her sister is still the first person Mirchel goes to when she is struggling with something.
“She has always been a protector,” Mirchel says.
The two do fight sometimes, as sisters do, yet Soa remains her biggest inspiration, says Mirchel.
While working as a waitress, Soa discovered her love and passion for coffee. On 25 September 2018, Soa se Koffie was born. PHOTO: Kara van der Merwe
A helping hand
Community is everything to Soa. She explains that although she only had one biological daughter, Nonna, she takes care of seven kids because she believes in keeping an open door policy.
“Soa promised herself from a young age that she will give her kids all the opportunities we never had,” says Mirchel. Mirchel explains that Soa has a soft spot in her heart for young people who have it difficult in life.
“I live for all my kids,” says Soa. “Keenen moved in with me four years ago. India and Milly have been living with me since December, and Jaydon, their brother, has been with me for eight months as I train him to be a barista.”
She makes a “potjie” every night that not only feeds her family but her extended family.
She always prepares extra food for kids whose parents are involved in gang activity, or are drug users. Soa thinks that everyone will understand why she always says she works seven days a week. “I have a lot of kids to look after.”
“There are about ten other children from the community who bring their report cards to me every term and then I give them an allowance depending on how good their marks are,” Soa says.
She loves birthday parties nearly as much as she does coffee, and she always ensures that the kids in the community receive a cake and presents on their special day. “It’s important that everyone feels special on their birthday,” explains Soa.
To Soa, community is everything. She believes in making her home available to anybody in need of a safe haven. PHOTO: Kara van der Merwe
Always moving forward
Soa acknowledges all the support she receives from the Greyton locals.
“The community actually surprised me two years ago with a new coffee machine, so everything I do is just my way of giving back to the community,” Soa says. Soa se Koffie is sold on a daily basis at Pure Café, Greyton OK and Via’s. Her portable coffee truck can be seen at the local market every Saturday.
“I am very proud of Soa, because she is a person who never sits still in life. She always tries to move forward,” said Soa’s mother, Jenny Sauls.