It turns out Shahan Ramkissoon left the newsroom and journalism for the right reason, the former newsman and now businessman has launched his own alcohol spirit Gin called ‘Lenyora.
You might be wondering what Lenyara mean or refers to… Lenyora is Sepedi, Sesotho and Setswana word, it means thirst in English, hence the tagline: “The thirst is real.”
Speaking to GQ South Africa, Shahan said, ”interestingly, Lenyora, in South African slang can also mean ‘boss’ or ‘top dog’. The word, in this context, fits in with all or most vernacular languages or indigenous communities. That’s what also makes it perfect.”
“People watched me on eNCA and thought I was an uptight news guy, but believe it our not, I love a good party and so does the rest of Mzansi. And you know what gets millions to groove right? Yup, booze!”
The Durban-born businessman says he was gatvol with promoting other people’s brands and he choose to start his own gin Lenyora for the people of Mzansi to quench their thirst.
“I love our beautiful country, it’s diversity and it’s people. I wanted to use a language and word that most South Africans would recognise when they see it. And if they don’t understand, I want to teach them.
“Our pride is one of the few things we can boast about right now given the political mess, a failing power utility and struggling economy. We should be proud of our resilience as nation.
Ramkissoon still has some footprint in journalism, he recently launched an online media platform in partnership with fellow journalist Tanya Next.
“I’m changing my story by pushing through and launching my own businesses, including a website that focuses on positive South African news: www.feelsa.co.za.”
To support this brother Shahan, Lenyora Gin is currently available on mothercityliquor.co.za.
