Soweto Gold Beer founder Ndumiso Madlala loses battle to liver failure

Mapaballo Borotho

Ndumiso Madlala, founder of Soweto Gold Beer, has died from liver failure.
He will be laid to rest at his family homestead in KwaZulu-Natal on 6 September 2025.
Madlala was a trailblazing entrepreneur who created South Africa’s first black-owned brewery.

The family of Ndumiso Madlala, entrepreneur and founder of Soweto Gold Beer, has confirmed that their beloved son has died from liver failure.

In a short statement received from the family’s spokesperson, Ndumiso will be buried at the Madlala homestead, Elandskop, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, on Saturday, 06 September 2025.

His lifeless body will depart from Gauteng to KZN on Tuesday, or latest on Wednesday. Details surrounding his memorial service have not been confirmed.

Ndumiso is the brains behind the popular Soweto Gold beer, a craft beer brand which he founded in 2013.

Madlala, a chemical engineer and Institute of Brewing and Distilling graduate, left a corporate career to establish South Africa’s first black-owned brewery, despite facing initial investor skepticism.

Soweto Gold offers various brews, including a popular “Gold” lager made with ingredients like maize and yeast, and was recognised as the Best Craft Beer in South Africa in 2014.

Madlala has passed away at the age of 46.

He died on Friday after a short illness.

In his philanthropic work, the businessman was said to have resuscitated several local businesses and invested in housing for Soweto residents.

Family spokesperson Phakama Mdlalose told Kaya… pic.twitter.com/Grqg5Ptl59

— Kaya News (@KayaNews) August 31, 2025