If you wander down Loop Street, Cape Town early in the morning, even before the city stretches awake, you'll find the smell of promise mingled with the rich aroma of medium to dark roasted coffee, floating from a little shop with a big heart. Behind the counter stands Mthethumzima Dlukwana. His name, which means “heavy law,” might explain our instant connection, as I am a lawyer by trade. But around here, he's simply Mthethu. Or Baba. Or, as most know him: Yebo Baba.
He's not just a barista. He's a character, a mentor, a brand, a business owner and a storyteller. And his café isn't just a coffee shop, it's a living, steaming celebration of culture, resilience, and hustle.
Bom in the small Eastern Cape village of Whittlesea and raised…
