Kasi Flavour Meets Seafood Cuisine

In a country where braai culture reigns supreme, and meat is often the centrepiece of every plate, one founder dared to bring seafood to the township. Meet Zamosi Ngomane, the creative force behind Moz Deli Foods.

For Zamosi, cooking started as a personal form of therapy. “I used to cook for my family and neighbours whenever I was stressed,” he says. However, what began as comfort quickly turned into a calling. He realised he could use food to bring change: offering healthier eating options, fighting unemployment, and giving back to the community that he loves.

Starting a restaurant in the township with unfamiliar offerings like seafood wasn’t easy. It was unfamiliar, perceived as expensive, and up against deeply rooted traditions. But Zamosi didn’t see that as a setback but as an opportunity to revolutionise the culinary experiences in the township.

Growing the Moz Deli Brand

Moz Deli Foods has earned its reputation through consistency and intentionality. “We didn’t rush to add lots of menu items. For the first two years, we kept it simple and focused on what made us different,” says Zamosi. This disciplined approach gave them an edge. Instead of trying to compete with every trend, they built their own lane, and people noticed.

In its early days, Moz Deli Foods offered just ten servings per event. Today, they serve fifty or more, with a footprint that spans over 450 spaces, from small township setups to major festivals and food markets. Brand visibility serves as a key part of the strategy. Prioritising branding through staff uniforms, branded equipment, and an online presence helped grow the Moz Deli brand. “We made sure people saw us everywhere,” he says. “Word of mouth became one of our strongest marketing tools.”

Moz Deli Foods has participated in events like Metro FM’s Heatwave, the DSTV Delicious Festival Trader Academy, Sunday Cookouts in Gauteng, and multiple markets across Mpumalanga, allowing the brand to grow awareness and trust.

At Moz Deli Foods, freshness is a non-negotiable. “We don’t prepare food in advance. Every meal is made per order,” says founder Zamosi. He adds that proper stock rotation and labelling are part of their standard practice. “Our customers deserve the best,” he says.

Thriving as a Bootstrapped Business

Zamosi’s approach is shaped by resourcefulness. He started the business without external funding, relying on savings from a full-time job and personal loans to get it off the ground.

His experience reflects a broader reality for many township entrepreneurs, where access to capital is limited and bootstrapping your business is the best option.

He also speaks about the importance of investing in his team. “Even a knife gets blunt over time. So, our staff need sharpening too,” he says, referring to the regular training they receive to maintain service and food standards as the business grows.

Zamosi emphasises affordability as key to managing finances effectively. By negotiating with suppliers, he’s managed to keep prices within reach for local customers.

Looking Ahead: Kasi to the World

Zamosi has big plans for his restaurant. “We want to compete with big restaurant brands. I want Moz Deli to be a household name – Something my community can be proud of,” he says.

His goal is to show that township-born brands can not only survive, they can lead in their respective industries. By staying authentic, prioritising quality, and putting community at the centre, Moz Deli Foods is yet another brand that challenges assumptions by rewriting the script for township entrepreneurship.