Tucked away in Cape Town, Ollie’s has quickly become more than just a coffee stop — it’s a gathering place where locals come to connect, pause, and share a moment with owner Ollie and his wife. Word is spreading, too: in 2024, Ollie’s was crowned Best Coffee on the Go at the annual Coffee Magazine Awards.
Ask Ollie what drives him, and his answer is instant: people.
“I love meeting new people. That’s my number one priority,” he says. “It’s not like an exchange of coffee for money. You can come here even if you’re not buying anything, just for a small chat or to share what’s happening in your life.”
This philosophy shapes everything about the café. A typical day begins at 6am so Ollie can prepare without rushing. Often, early-bird customers knock before opening, and he welcomes them in to taste coffee together before their workday begins.
Even during the morning rush, quality comes before speed.
Right: Ollie Balekage, owner of Ollie’s, with Yoco Counter by his side.
Left Ollie and Laziel Muchemwa (from OSCS Clubhouse).
POS made easy
Running a busy café means using tools that don’t get in the way. Ollie has been with Yoco from the start, moving from the first black card reader through to Yoco Counter today.
“It’s been easy. Everything is under a category. I can leave the screen on hot beverages and just press. Once payment goes through, I see a tick. It’s very simple.”
For Ollie, the Counter is more than payments. It’s a professional touchpoint that gives him confidence.
“People didn’t take me seriously before — I didn’t have a proper setup. Now, with Yoco Counter, customers know where to order. It made me feel like, ‘I’m in business.’”
Right: Noella Balekage puts craft in every detail — from the first grind to the last golden pastry.
Left: A coffee counter full of stories, stickers, and good vibes.
Yoco helps Ollie manage the bigger picture, even when he’s not on site.
“I use the Yoco App to track what’s happening. I can see sales in real time instead of asking someone. I look at daily breakdowns, see what’s selling, and adjust stock. Even seasonality. In winter I cut down pastries because the reports showed we sold less the previous winter.”
These insights simplify admin, too. “I was battling with SARS. They asked for sales reports. I went to Yoco, exported the papers, and it was very easy. You can customise exports for any period. It saves me hours.”
Updating the product catalogue is equally seamless: “Changing prices is easy. You can even add photos. That’s why I say a child could use it — you don’t need training.”
Noella Balekage, Ollie and Abby Berman (from 4wks).
For Ollie, the café is more than a business; it’s a dream in progress.
“What’s next is to make this place the dream café in my head. The equipment I’ve always wanted, everything I’ve always wanted. That’s what’s next.”
And when asked if he’d recommend Yoco? Ollie doesn’t hesitate:
“Most definitely. I’ve already recommended it to many people. It’s one of the best products I’ve ever used.”
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