05 April 2025 | Story: Qhawekazi Memani| Photo: VUT.
3 minutes read time.
In the heart of Limpopo’s villages, long before distilleries and branded spirits, there was Thothotho—a potent, unfiltered traditional drink. Once a symbol of unity at weddings and gatherings, this ancestral spirit was crafted with skill and care, and its secrets passed from generation to generation. However, as colonial laws sought to erase indigenous brewing traditions, Thothotho, like many African spirits, was driven underground.
For Mr Moshe Mello, a PhD student at Vaal University of Technology (VUT), this story was not just history, it was personal.
Growing up in Ga-Mphahlele, Mr Mello was immersed in the tales of his grandmother, Ms Pheladi Tladi, a revered distiller of Mokoporo, a traditional vodka-like spirit known as Thothotho. She mastered the craft in the early 20th century, using indigenous ingredients and age-old techniques. However, the government’s crackdown on local distillation forced her to abandon her passion. The stills fell silent, but the legacy lived on in whispered stories and distant memories.
Now, Mr Mello is determined to bring back what was almost lost.
Whilst pursuing his PhD in Chemical Engineering at VUT, Mr Mello saw an opportunity to fuse traditional knowledge with modern innovation. Instead of simply recreating Thothotho, he sought to refine it, adapting the distillation process to meet industry standards whilst preserving its bold, original character. He experimented with indigenous botanicals, ensuring that the essence of the spirit remained untouched whilst enhancing its depth and complexity.
The result? Thothotho Premium Gin, a spirit that bridges the past and present. More than just a drink, it is a cultural statement, a declaration that heritage can evolve without losing its soul.
In 2025, the first bottle of Thothotho Premium Gin was produced, not just as a premium spirit but as a movement. Through his distillery, Mr Mello is reviving a lost tradition, giving voice to the untold stories of African distillers who, for centuries, kept their craft alive in the shadows.
Today, Thothotho Distillery is more than a brand; it is a tribute to resilience. It honours those who brewed in secret, safeguarded their knowledge, and refused to let history fade.
Speaking on Mr Mello’s journey, Dr Simphiwe Nelana, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research, Innovation, Commercialisation, and Internationalisation (RICI) at VUT, praised his ability to merge academic research with real-world impact.
“Mr Mello’s work is a shining example of how research and innovation can preserve cultural heritage whilst driving economic growth. At VUT, we encourage students to think beyond the classroom and create meaningful and transformative solutions. Thothotho Premium Gin is not just a product, but a celebration of African ingenuity, and we are incredibly proud of Mr Mello’s achievements.”
As Mr Mello continues his PhD, his work is a testament to the power of innovation rooted in tradition. His journey is proof that heritage is not just something to be remembered, it is something to be reimagined, reinvented, and proudly shared with the world.
