For so many people in the South African coffee community Nicodemus Nabakwe has been a mentor, an inspiration, a coach, a brother and just a very friendly and knowledgeable guy who has gently been part of many of our coffee journeys.
The end of this month sees Nico returning to his homeland, Kenya, after two decades serving the SA coffee community. In his time here, he has been such a special friend in the industry and for us personally at Coffee Magazine, a Judge of A Shot in the Dark every year since 2019 and always an invested part of all the events we run! Thank you for the football, the stories, the beers and of course, all the knowledge you have so generously imparted with us over 100's of coffees.
Last year, we included Nico in the Coffee Magazine Honour Roll at the Coffee Magazine Awards for his service to the community.
We will miss you Nico, and we know your loss will be felt deeply by Carol and the whole Zuka Green team, but we have no doubt that you will continue to serve, inspire and guide us all, and your new Kenyan community, as our paths cross again in the future. Here are a few of our favourite 'Nico Moments' from over the years :)
Nenda vizuri rafiki. Tutakukumbuka.
Nico, with his CMA's Dedication to Education Award in 2020.
ASITD Judging in JHB, 2020.
Giving a lecture during the Sevenoaks days, 2021.
Cuth, Nico and Matt, ASITD Judging 2021
ASITD Judging, JHB, 2022.
Always a smile! ASITD Judging 2023.
And a thumbs up! ASITD Judging 2024
The Zuka and ASITD Judging team (plus us), JHB 2024 - Nice tees!
ASITD Judging, Cape Town 2025: Iain, Mike, Mel, Cuth and Nico.
Nico being inducted into the Coffee Magazine Honour Roll, Dec 2025, Melrose Arch, JHB.
