South Africa has long been a hub for entertainment and show business on the continent, and Rodney Mabunda (37), a businessman from Mpumalanga and owner of 13Sixty Lifestyle in Acornhoek, is well aware of this.
Entrepreneurship runs in Mabunda’s blood. Combine that with a passion for show business and a love for good food, and you have a winning recipe. As the co-owner of 13Sixty Lifestyle, this year marks three years of success and job creation in Acornhoek, Mpumalanga.
Mabunda grew up in a poor household where his parents never held permanent jobs but always managed to put food on the table. Despite these challenges, he has always been passionate about education. He holds a BTech in Tourism Management and a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration. Mabunda is also an IDP Officer in the local municipality, and the nightlife and tourism business have always been part of his long-term vision.
His business, 13Sixty Lifestyle, was inspired by well-known establishments like Kwa Max Lifestyle in Durban and Makubenjalo in Johannesburg. Mabunda also wanted to create job opportunities for his community, driven by his passion for the township economy and its growth.
In 2021, together with his brother Marvin and sister Fiona, they rented a small pub where they hosted artists. This venture planted the seed for their future business. “We gained valuable experience in running that type of business, and we did well. However, when the pub owner saw that we were drawing good numbers, he decided to raise the rent, which led to disagreements, and we decided to move,” Mabunda explains. Fortunately, their father owned a stand on the main road in Acornhoek, where he had a small car wash and food outlet. “I had also been selling ice from the same place since 2016. We then decided to build our business there,” he adds.
Mabunda and his siblings started 13Sixty Lifestyle from modest savings. He and his brother dug into their savings accounts, and he even sold his Golf 7 GTI to finance the building, receiving support from family and friends wherever possible. “We initially used the savings from the tavern we rented. We’ve traveled around the country, and in every township or kasi, there’s a good shisanyama and pub, which was lacking in Acornhoek,” Mabunda says. His brother Marvin, with a passion for food, focuses primarily on the shisanyama and restaurant, while their sister Fiona manages the day-to-day operations. They are also landlords of the Orpengate Sleepover Motel. “Acornhoek has always had that vibe, but most of the places that opened couldn’t match it,” Mabunda observes.
Today, 13Sixty Lifestyle is a thriving business, hosting artists from across the country and serving delicious shisanyama and traditional food. “We’re known for bringing the best stars to our venue. Our patrons always feel safe and protected. We’ve become a tourist attraction and a place visitors love to frequent,” Mabunda proudly states.
As a husband and father of three, Mabunda finds joy in seeing his 20 or so employees able to support their families. “Seeing the smiles on our employees’ faces at month’s end brings us immense satisfaction. Bringing something different to our town and witnessing the appreciation from locals and visitors alike is a fulfilling feeling. Although our business is still in its early stages, we’re making positive strides toward our vision.”
Mabunda acknowledges the competitive nature of his business, which keeps him on his toes. “Not everyone is happy with what we’re doing, and there are many negative rumors about our business, but we keep our heads up. Funding remains a big challenge, as there are many things we want to do to take our business to the next level. However, the highlight of running 13Sixty Lifestyle was hosting the Savanna Comedy Night in December 2023. We’re also looking forward to the Bernini-inspired event on August 31 and September 1, which we hope will be on the same level.”