Africa’s Got Talent

Alice Wanja Kimani | Nairobi, Kenya

Instagram Handle: @magician_in_the_bar   Position & Workplace: Head Bartender at Sinnerman  Age: 28  Years in the Industry: 3  

Q: What do you love most about being a bartender?  I particularly enjoy bringing smiles to people’s faces through the experience of tasting my cocktails, creating lasting memories for them. Q: Who are your role models? Firstly, my mom, who raised me as a single woman – an incredibly challenging task that I deeply respect her for. She’s a strong and remarkable individual, a true superwoman. Additionally, my sister Femi, who works in the music and entertainment industry, and Lele, my bar manager, have achieved remarkable success in a male-dominated industry. Their accomplishments inspire me to persevere and strive for success every day. Q: What are your goals and dreams? Our industry is predominantly male-dominated, leading to unequal opportunities and treatment for women. One of my significant aspirations is to be treated, heard, and respected on an equal footing, irrespective of gender. Q: What are your biggest challenges? There’s a prevailing perception that our industry is merely a side hustle and not a legitimate career. It’s crucial that we collaborate, share knowledge, and support each other to foster growth and alter people’s perceptions. Q: What are you most proud of? I’m proud of the skills, knowledge, and confidence I have acquired and developed over the past three years behind the bar.

Nathan Takunda Mukasa | Harare, Zimbabwe

Instagram Handle: @cocktail_ sensei Position & Workplace: Head Mixologist at Restaurant JDB Age: 26 Years in the Industry: Nearly 3

Q: What do you love most about being a bartender? The part where I get to have conversations with guests from different walks of life. It feels like I’m going around the world in one glass. Q: Who are your role models? Tao Zrafi, because he’s a creative genius. His technique of mixology and the elements he uses to put together a drink is unmatched. In addition, the way he uses fashion and art in his craft makes the whole experience extraordinary. Secondly, Julian Short; his mind produces one-in-a-million type of ideas and I love the way he plays around with flavours. One day I will meet these guys, with a notepad, a pen and a lot of questions. Q: What are your goals and dreams? I’d like to partner with and be a brand ambassador for some of the well-known spirit brands. Moreover, being one of the mixologists who makes an impact in Zimbabwe in terms of cultivation of the culture of cocktails and wines. Q: What are your biggest challenges? Opportunities for international recognition are very few and limited. Therefore, growth is very slow. In addition, the knowledge and depth of mixology is so little in our country that it’s almost non-existent. It would be an honour to have large brand houses establishing themselves in the country, to empower young mixologists and help restaurants reach their full potential in presenting and serving world-class cocktails and mocktails. In addition, to get funding to host cocktail tastings and mixology seminars throughout different parts of the country. Q: What are you most proud of? Working at Restaurant JDB has been amazing; we curated a cocktail menu which I’d like to believe is the best in the country. I’ve also been privileged enough to work in some of the most prestigious places in Zimbabwe, namely The Victoria Falls Hotel and Troutbeck Resort, where I received a Service Excellence Award. I’m currently studying for WSET Level 2, which will elevate my position as a bartender.

Seraphine Afladey | Accra, Ghana

Instagram Handle: @Ashersips Position & Workplace: Bartender at La Borracha Age: 25 Years in the Industry: Nearly 2

Q: What do you love most about being a bartender? One of the things I love and appreciate most about being a bartender is the chance to connect with people from diverse backgrounds and continuously learn new things. Q: Who are your role models? Christopher Beany, because he contributes to the development of the bar industry, champions the future, fosters community and promotes individual growth. I’m incredibly proud to be mentored by him. Q: What are your goals and dreams? My professional aspirations include witnessing the growth of the Ghanaian industry and empowering more women to excel within it. Q: What are your biggest challenges? Being a female in a male-dominated bar industry in Ghana, which is still very traditional; women have certain roles to play. So, you have to work twice as hard to even be noticed. And finding a healthy equilibrium between work and personal life. Q: What are you most proud of? I’m proud of my commitment to personal growth, effective communication skills, and pushing myself to excel in the competitive bar industry.

Philip Greeff | Cape Town, South Africa

Instagram Handle: @sip_with_lip  Position & Workplace: Head Bartender at The House of Machines  Age: 25  Years in the Industry: 2 

Q: What do you love most about being a bartender? The interaction with the guest. Being part of an environment where you can be yourself and give the customers their best experience. It allows me to express myself through flavours and craftsmanship, to be the best I can be. Q: Who are your role models? Cassandra Eichhoff: she gives so much back to the bar community. Her work ethic is amazing, and she’s always willing to help where she can. She’s achieved so much in her life and the knowledge she’s willing to share is absolutely incredible. Q: What are your goals and dreams? My dreams are to grow into the best bartender I can be; to be recognised, not just in South Africa, but worldwide; and to build connections and learn from different people with different cultures. The end goal will be to have my own bar, where I can make a difference in other bartenders’ lives. Q: What are your biggest challenges? My biggest challenge is to understand how to communicate professionally with my team members, who each have different personalities, and learning the best way to handle situations. Q: What are you most proud of? For my 25th birthday, I got keys to The House of Machines. A year and a half ago I moved to Cape Town with two suitcases and no job, and now I’m Head Bartender. I’m very proud of myself for achieving this, from where I started to where I am now.

Ijiolowo Taiwo Sarah | Lagos, Nigeria

Instagram Handle: @t_icecocktails Position & Workplace: Self-employed Age: 27 years Years in the Industry: 6

Q: What do you love most about being a bartender? It’s allowed me to connect with people from all walks of life, which has really built my self-confidence, and it allows me to create memorable experiences and showcase my creativity. Q: Who are your role models? I love Kehinde Omosowoeni – Kenizmix – because of his passion, creativity, open-mindedness, and originality. His attention to detail is second to none, and the way he provides unique experiences for his guests is always lovely. Q: What are your goals and dreams? I’d like to continue to provide great experiences, leaving my guests with a unique taste. Q: What are your biggest challenges? Constant increase in prices or unstable market prices, and lack of sponsorship from brands. Q: What are you most proud of? My proudest moments have been working with the best planners in the event and bar industry and successfully catering for large numbers of guests, with instant good reviews.

Donald Obirode | Lagos, Nigeria

Instagram Handle: @donald_obirode Position & Workplace: Bartender at 16by16 Age: 27 Years in the Industry: 7

Q: What do you love most about being a bartender? I love the creative aspect of expressing myself with signature cocktails, being able to marry herbs, fruits, vegetables, syrups and all types of condiments and creating a drink. Q: Who are your role models? Victor Obanya, Joel Mensah and Charli Barnes. Victor, my former colleague and tutor, is a very competitive and growth-minded individual, with a good work ethic and a very fast work pace; when I saw him winning competitions, I wanted to be THAT GUY too. I watched in awe and admiration as Joel taught me and some other bartenders about sustainable, biodegradable, and advanced cocktail techniques, and immediately fell in love with him. Joel is friendly, cool, calm, collected and fun to be with. I love Charli for his flaring skills and sustainable cocktail techniques, and want to emulate him. I hope to meet him someday. Q: What are your goals and dreams? To have my own resto and bar, and to create sustainable and biodegradable African-flavoured cocktails. I feel the bar industry has been limiting the flavours of Africa. I want to elevate them, so they become known, loved and appreciated. I want African-flavoured drinks to be classified as Classics by the IBA. Q: What are your biggest challenges? I feel that brands only work with well-known people, regardless of talent or skill, while others are not given chances. I need finance, to actualise my dreams, more people who share my ideas, brand opportunities and mentorship from big industry players. Q: What are you most proud of? I’m most proud of the competitions I’ve won and placed in, rising from a barback in 2017. Apart from this, I’m glad I always want to grow my knowledge. The sky is the starting point, and I haven’t even touched the sky yet. The above interviews have been edited for brevity and clarity