Starbucks Announces Winners of the Regional Barista Championships
Starbucks South Africa has proudly announced the winners of its 2024 Regional Barista Championships, spotlighting the exceptional skill, passion, and dedication of its partners—the company’s own term for baristas.
The championships, a cornerstone of Starbucks’ commitment to coffee excellence, form part of a rigorous multi-tier competition that starts at the store level and culminates in the prestigious Starbucks EMEA Championships in London. This year’s regional rounds showcased the talents of 83 partners from across Starbucks’ 72 stores nationwide.
“We love recognising the hard work our partners invest in finetuning their craft. That’s why the Barista Championships are such an exciting event.”
says Ishan Natalie, Coffee Excellence Lead at Rand Capital Coffee, Starbucks SA’s licensee
The journey to the regionals began with Store Championships and continued through District rounds held in March. In May, top performers from KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape, and the Central region (Gauteng and the Free State) competed for spots in the upcoming National Championships this June.
Baristas were judged across multiple categories including latte art, beverage quality, storytelling, and how well they embody the Starbucks mission and values. Even those who didn’t take top honours were eligible for recognition in specialised areas, reflecting Starbucks’ belief that excellence comes in many forms.
Among the standout finalists were:
- Mduduzi Mvana, shift supervisor at Starbucks Pavilion (KwaZulu-Natal)
- Thabo Gift Preya, barista at Starbucks Preller in Bloemfontein
- Nathan Bobraine, shift supervisor at Starbucks Clearwater (Johannesburg)
- Kabelo Majoro, Starbucks Irene (Pretoria)
- Anathi April, Starbucks V&A Waterfront
- Yibanathi Jongihlathi, Starbucks FX Durbanville
- Siphamandla Betana, Starbucks FX Stellenbosch
After a competitive showdown, the three regional champions were named:
- Kabelo Majoro (Central/Gauteng)
- Siphamandla Betana (Western Cape)
- Mduduzi Mvana (KwaZulu-Natal)
Their stories highlight the spirit of growth and resilience at the heart of Starbucks culture.
“The feeling of losing and winning inspires me to look for new highs in my career as a barista”.
Kabelo reflects
Siphamandla is motivated to lead and inspire others, especially those from underrepresented communities. Mduduzi dreams of becoming the best in the coffee world and using his platform to influence global coffee culture.
“We are extremely proud of all our Champions and wish them the very best as they move to the next stage in this thrilling competition,”.
says Ishan
The Starbucks Regional Barista Championships not only celebrate craftsmanship, but also serve as a launchpad for future leaders in coffee, one perfectly crafted cup at a time.
