You might think you know Hillbrow… but after listening to Tebza’s story on this week’s podcast, you’ll realise there’s so much more to see.
Johannesburg, South Africa (08 April 2026) – We talk a lot about changing narratives… and this week’s podcast does exactly that.
In the latest episode of ‘Good Things with Brent Lindeque‘, Tebogo Mabye, or Tebza as he prefers to be called, sits down for a conversation that feels like an invitation into his world. It’s honest, and layered, and it’s deeply rooted in Hillbrow… a place he still calls home and one that continues to shape everything he does.
Tebza’s journey didn’t start with opportunity laid out in front of him. Growing up in Hillbrow, he faced real challenges, including time spent in shelters, navigating an environment that demanded strength from a young age. But what comes through so clearly in our conversation is not the difficulty, it’s the perspective he’s chosen to carry forward. He speaks about his upbringing with pride, about the people who shaped him and about the belief that where you come from can be the very thing that drives you forward.
That belief turned into action when he launched Hillbrewed Coffee Co., a business he built without formal training, relying on instinct, curiosity and a deep desire to create something meaningful in his community. The coffee shop became a space that created opportunities for others and showed that something special could exist right in the heart of the inner city. Even after losing it during COVID, Tebza didn’t step away from the dream, he evolved it, leaning further into food and the passion that had always been part of his story. That passion would take him onto MasterChef South Africa, where he brought his self-taught skills and personal story into kitchens watched by the entire country. But that was never the final destination. Tebza has continued to grow, stepping into modelling, pursuing sport as a kickboxer and building a life that reflects every part of who he is.
Today, he is also part of Jozi My Jozi, where he leads a Walking Tour, guiding people through Hillbrow in a way that challenges perceptions and opens eyes. It’s not about painting a perfect picture, it’s about showing the real one… the culture, the energy, the people and the stories that often go unseen.
If you’ve ever needed a reason to believe in the good things again, this poddie will give you that… and so much more.
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