Gcwalisa democratises access to food staples and basic household products in low-income communities, sold by weight, packaging-free, at prices families can afford. Gcwalisa is tackling hunger by rethinking food distribution: lowering costs, empowering communities, and eliminating waste.
Gcwalisa’s mission rests on three pillars:
Strategic partnerships – Partnering directly with food manufacturers to cut out intermediaries and secure lower prices on staples.
Community empowerment – Containers are run by trained local organisations, creating dignified, sustainable income rather than dependency on charity.
Zero-Waste Culture – Customers bring their own packaging or use biodegradable alternatives, reducing costs and eliminating plastic waste.
Where was your business when you entered the Challenge – and how have things evolved?
When we entered the Challenge in September 2025, Gcwalisa had five refill retail outlets operating in Alexandra Township. We had demonstrated that our model could make everyday essentials more affordable while reducing single-use plastic, and our focus was on strengthening our operations, growing customer awareness and preparing the business for sustainable expansion.
Over the past year, we have continued refining our business model while remaining committed to our circular economy mission. We’ve grown our retail footprint, strengthened our brand presence within the communities we serve and invested in making our operations more sustainable.
While scaling a circular business in the FMCG sector comes with challenges, we continue to push ourselves to find practical and innovative ways to create greater environmental and social impact. Some of our proudest milestones since participating in the Challenge include:
Perhaps our greatest milestone, however, has been our people. The dedication, resilience and passion of the entire Gcwalisa team, especially our store operators have been the driving force behind everything we have achieved. Their commitment to serving their communities and bringing our mission to life every day is what truly makes Gcwalisa special.
What’s next?
The future is incredibly exciting. Our immediate focus is expanding our footprint, with another store set to launch in August.
We are equally focused on strengthening the sustainability of our business. We know there is always room to improve, and we are committed to continually finding better ways to reduce our environmental impact, strengthen our circular model and create lasting value for the communities we serve.
Any advice you’d give to businesses thinking about applying?
Absolutely apply. I actually almost didn’t. The Challenge offers so much more than funding. It provides valuable exposure, credibility and the opportunity to become part of a community of passionate innovators working towards a more circular future.
Be authentic, tell your story honestly and don’t be afraid to dream big. You never know where the journey might lead.
SOLVE involvement beyond the Challenge:
Introduced Josephine to V&A’s SMME lead as a speaker at the V&A’s learning lunches sessions. Suggested Josephine as a speaker at the Greater Tygerberg Partnership’s Level-Up programme, where SMMEs are trained in the Circular Economy. She participated during July 2026. Encouraged Tygerberg Partnership to look at her business as a possible fit for the Bellville area.