Love Books, one of the country's best indie bookshops has been at the Bamboo Centre for 16 years, It was a wine shop before. Talk about a heritage of culture! 🤌 Welcome to Melville Untold.

In this week's newsletter:

• Guilt-Free Chocolate Heaven Arrives in Melville 🍫

• The Essential Guide to Exotic Pet Care 🐍

• From Seed to Plate: Community Garden Takes Root at Satellite Station 🌱

Let’s go. 

— Aubrey Moloto, Kele Jackson

The Digest

Guilt-Free Chocolate Heaven Arrives in Melville 🍫

There's a new delicious addition to the Joburg Artist Market (27 Boxes) family. Just in time for the festive season, the final space on the ground floor has been filled by a special chocolatier brand that promises 0% sugar and 100% flavour: Sorella Indulgence.

Sorella isn’t just a diabetic-friendly chocolate brand; it's a solution born from personal frustration and a passion for quality. The key to its history lies in its name: "Sorella," the Italian word for sister, which has defined the brand's identity through generations of ownership. This is a story about how a craving for delicious sugar-free chocolate grew into a beloved artisanal brand, passed from one sisterhood to another.

The Original Sisters: A Personal Mission

The journey began with recognising a gap in the market. In 2008, one of the two founding sisters, who has type-1 diabetes, was frustrated with the sugar-free chocolates available in Mzansi. Every one had a nasty aftertaste or grainy texture. It was clear to her that the market was missing a truly indulgent, high-quality chocolate for those who couldn't or chose not to eat sugar.

Determined to create the diabetic-friendly chocolate they'd always wanted, the sisters spent months perfecting their recipes. They established three principles that would become Sorella's foundation:

Silky, Melt-in-Your-Mouth Texture – They had to use only the finest Belgian chocolate as their base to achieve a premium, luxurious feel.

Natural, High-Quality Ingredients – The recipe had to be pure and simple, relying on natural, organic ingredients without any refined sugar.

A Better Sweetener – After extensive testing, they selected Maltitol, a sugar alcohol naturally found in some fruits and vegetables. Its safety has been confirmed by global health authorities.

From Home Kitchen to National Brand

What started as a personal project gained serious traction. Family and friends confirmed they had something special, word spread like wildfire, and by 2014 they officially founded the business.

The founding sisters began strategically distributing through independent retailers like Spar. With a fresh, preservative-free product that had a three-month shelf life, they had to bypass the long-stay distribution centres of major chains where products could sit for months before hitting shelves. Spar was a brilliant choice – it has nationwide reach and works directly with small suppliers. This model allowed them to manage their own shelves and make sure that customers received the freshest product possible.

The foundation was laid. A legacy of quality and taste was ready to be passed to a new generation.

Enter the New Sisterhood

Meanwhile, on the other side of the country, Thando and Sidu Mtshali had just left their home in Port Shepstone, KZN. Thando went to study in the US, then in Cape Town. Sidu went to Pretoria. The sisters established themselves in their careers – Thando in management consulting with a focus on strategy and consumer-facing goods, Sidu at a boutique investment company working with major stock exchange-listed businesses.

After years working on the front end of businesses, learning how different companies operate and how consumers interact with brands, the sisters decided it was time to get their hands dirty. They wanted to go behind the curtain and learn how to take a product from concept to consumer. They knew the theory, but it was time for practice. They first learned of Sorella when the business was up for sale. Intrigued, Sidu bought the products to taste and was immediately stunned by how a sugar-free alternative could be so delicious. They missed the boat. The business was acquired by Nonny Mnguni but they kept in touch, nurturing the relationship and letting her know they were interested. Finally, in April 2021, the business became available again. Thando and Sidu became the third owners, ushering in a new sisterhood for the brand.

Honouring Heritage While Building Growth

The Mtshali sisters brought different, business-centric expertise to Sorella Indulgence. They saw the company through a strategic lens dedicated to brand growth. With the product itself being perfect, their focus was on strengthening brand equity, streamlining operations and building a sustainable business model – bringing a fresh perspective while honouring the product's handcrafted origins.

Their strategy has been a careful balance of preservation and modernisation, ensuring Sorella's soul stays intact while its reach and appeal expand. The new owners have been emphatic about one thing: the original recipes remain completely unchanged. The exceptional taste and silky texture that hooked them is the cornerstone of the brand, a direct legacy from the founding sisters.

What's Changed (And What Hasn't)

While the chocolate remains the same, the sisters have implemented some key changes to elevate the brand:

Building an Online Presence – Before their acquisition, Sorella had no digital footprint. The sisters established a comprehensive online presence, launching an e-commerce store (sugarfreesorella.co.za) and official social media channels (@sugarfreesorella). This digital transformation was crucial for reaching customers nationwide and building a direct relationship with a growing community.

Creating a Dedicated Home – To scale production and enhance compliance, they recently moved the business out of a home kitchen and into a formal production space in Joburg Artist Market. This gives the brand a hub for operations and growth, beginning a new, more professional chapter.

Flavour First, Benefits Second

Their core philosophy? Lead with flavour. While their products are proudly diabetic-friendly and sugar-free, the goal is for customers to choose Sorella simply because it tastes incredible. The health benefits are a crucial bonus, not a compromise on the indulgent experience.

They've recreated a variety of classic confections in sugar-free format: Nougat (Torrone), Peanut Butter Cups, Salted Caramel Treats, Cutie Pies, Nut Brittle, Coconut Nibbles, and Marzipan. Anyone seeking a "guilt-free" treat can find their favourite flavour.

The Melville Connection

Speaking to the sisters, it's clear they have a strong foundation and vision. The brand is poised for an exciting future, headquartered right here in our hood.

Next steps? Expand the brand's footprint across South Africa through online sales and physically through the Melville community. While they're currently using the 27 Boxes space for production only, a major milestone on the horizon is opening a physical storefront in 2026 to connect directly with the community.

They searched far and wide before choosing to be here because Melville shares the same values of character, heritage and artisan culture that they have and care about. In the meantime, you can taste their delicious chocolate by ordering online. They're working on facilitating direct orders and collections at the shop in time for the festive season. They're also looking to get involved in the community by participating in JAM's pop-up markets and events, and are open to collaborations, so you'll start seeing more of them soon.

I Love Melville

Sidu loves that Melville isn't like Sandton or Fourways. It has its own vibe and character. She loves the old houses and the community feel, and can see herself living here. Her most memorable moment in Melville was seeing their new space come alive. Even though it's meant to be a production space for now, when the red shelves in the storefront section came up after weeks of planning and designing, it really struck her that their dream is truly coming alive.

Taste their delicious chocolate by ordering online: sugarfreesorella.co.za

Follow them on Instagram: @sugarfreesorella

If you enjoyed this week’s sweet digest, consider buying us a coffee; Payshap id: 0605293425 (Standardbank)/ Snap Scan

What’s Happenin’ 🤔

Here's what's cooking in the hood this week! A delicious mix of art, community action, and good vibes.

Check out the online events calendar for the regular events - The Melville Pulse Events Calendar 

Melville Weather For The Week ☔️

Wednesday 

26° 🌡️ 14°  | 🌩️ |  🌧️ 25% | W 7 km/h 💨

Thursday  

30° 🌡️ 16° | 🌤️ | 🌧️ 1% | WSW 7 km/h 💨

Friday 

23° 🌡️ 13° | ☁️ | 🌧️ 55% | N 17 km/h 💨

Saturday 

22° 🌡️ 14° | 🌦️ |  🌧️ 55% | NW 11 km/h 💨

Sunday

19° 🌡️ 11° | ☁️ | 🌧️ 99% | E 13 km/h 💨

Monday 

18° 🌡️ 11° | 🌧️ |  🌧️ 65% | E 13 km/h 💨

Tuesday 

20° 🌡️ 11° | 🌧️ |  🌧️ 55% | N 4 km/h 💨

Live & Music Events Lowdown 🎸

 Need to blow off some steam? Here's where you can dance the night away. Your designated boogie zone awaits!

12/11 | Wednesday | Coca Restaurant and Lounge | City Life Exclusive Wednesday ft. Zeeek Superlative | Free

15/11 | Saturday | 3 pm | Nova On 7th | 1st Birthday Anniversary ft. Focalistic | Free

15/11 | Saturday | 6 pm - 9 pm | Coca Restaurant and Lounge | Accoutic Jam Session with Khanye De Katarist ft. Gabe Diamond, Mbali Violinist Leynarthy, Andile, Chris Saxo, Jazzman SA and Empress Gqama | Free

For more updates as the week goes on, visit our Instagram page @snapson7th or our new Melville Pulse event calendar

The Tail End 🐾

The Essential Guide to Exotic Pet Care

This week's Tail End tip is for our exotic pet community.

Quick disclaimer: We aren't big fans of wild animals living in cages and zoos, but we do appreciate that there are people in the community who love and live with exotic pets. So here's an attempt at making sure your animal has a decent quality of life and you provide the best care possible. If you own or wish to own an exotic animal, Katja Wentzel from Extravagant Pets has shared some basics with us that answer questions she gets a lot.

Katja has an extensive background and qualifications working with animals, so this is just the tip of the iceberg. We'll be hearing more from her, but let's start with the “foundational pillar” for now: caging and creating the correct environment.

The Foundational Pillar: Creating the Correct Environment

The single most critical factor in determining the health and longevity of a reptile is its environment. According to Katja, the two areas where owners most commonly fail are establishing the correct environment and managing heat.

1. Caging and Space Requirements

Providing adequate space is the first step in building a proper habitat. The terrarium must be large enough to accommodate the animal's size and permit natural behaviours.

• Terrarium Size – The largest commercially available terrariums measure up to 2 metres by 60 cm, which offers plenty of room for larger species.

• Base Materials – The enclosure should be made from appropriate materials, such as wood or a glass base that incorporates proper aeration to ensure air quality.

2. The Critical Role of Heating and Lighting

As cold-blooded animals, reptiles are entirely dependent on external sources to regulate their body temperature. They cannot generate their own body heat like mammals and must move between warmer and cooler areas in their environment to maintain optimal internal temperatures for digestion, immune function, and activity.

The One-Third Rule for Heating – A fundamental principle for creating a proper thermal gradient is the One-Third Rule:

• One-third (1/3) of the terrarium should be actively heated

• Two-thirds (2/3) should remain cool

• All heating elements, such as a heat lamp and a heated rock, must be consolidated in the same one-third area

This configuration creates a distinct temperature gradient, empowering the animal to self-regulate by choosing to move towards the heat to warm up or to the cooler section to cool down. This prevents confusing the animal's instincts, which can happen if a heated rock is placed on one side of the enclosure and a heat lamp on the other.

To mimic an animal's natural habitat, a variety of lighting options are available, with wattages ranging from 25 to 200. These include:

• Basking Lights & Heat Lamps: Provide direct heat for thermoregulation

• Night Lights & Moonlights: Simulate nocturnal conditions and can provide gentle, ambient heat

3. Substrates and Natural Furnishings

Substrates are the materials used to line the bottom of the terrarium. The choice of substrate is critical, as an incorrect one can pose a health risk.

• Substrate Selection – The correct material depends on the species. For example, some exotics should not have sand because they are prone to ingesting it, which can cause impaction.

• Bark Sizing – Bark is a common substrate, but its size must correspond to the animal's size. A small exotic requires small bark, while a larger exotic needs larger bark to prevent accidental ingestion.

• Natural Materials – Katja strongly recommends using natural materials like wood and bark for furnishings and avoiding plastic. If ingested, plastic requires surgery. A procedure that, as she notes, reptiles rarely survive due to their size and sensitivity to anaesthesia.

Properly establishing the physical environment provides the necessary foundation for the dynamic daily processes of feeding and nutrition

This week’s Tail End tip is courtesy of Extravagant Pets. Most of the products mentioned are available at their store. Visit them at: Blairgowrie Plaza Shop LG1 Cnr Conrad and, Susman Ave, Blairgowrie or call 066 506 3760

Here’s this week’s Bounty Hunter’s Cat(s) Of The Week!

Business Bites 📂

Melville Takes Home the Gold: Best In Joburg Winners Announced

A big round of applause to Melville's rockstar businesses for winning the Best In Joburg Awards!

We want to congratulate Pablo House (Best Bed & Breakfast) and Hotel Hope Ministries (Best Thrift Shop) for the hard work they do to be recognised amongst the top in their category in the whole of Jozi.

It's moments like this that show people Melville still has loads to offer and inspire other local businesses to push boundaries and keep Melville a desirable destination. Thank you, you've made Melville proud!

Art In Melville 🎨

It's About Time: Celebrating Overlooked Voices in Art

The Stokvel Gallery had one of the biggest opening events we've seen this year with the "It's About Time" group exhibition. We spoke to curator Anni Wakerley to hear a bit about it and how the opening went.

Anni says this exhibition is more than a display of art - “it's a deliberate and necessary act of reclamation”. It's a platform for a talented, yet consistently overlooked, demographic of artists, older women. They collectively go by the name The Studio Group.

Started by Anni herself, The Studio Group idea came from a desire to fight the underrepresentation of older women in the art world. Their mission is to make sure that mature, experienced, and “deeply personal artistic voices are finally heard.

Deeply artistic is correct! There were some phenomenal pieces on display to a packed crowd in the small gallery. Pieces sold like hot cakes, and the older ladies were so wonderfully celebrated.

Timely, considering the national GBV protests happening at the moment. A great way to celebrate our women. Congratulations on a fantastic exhibition, ladies!

Something's Brewing: First Thursdays Coming to Melville

With art leading the resurgence, this past Monday night, we called a meeting with the whole Melville art community to discuss the possibility of starting a First Thursdays culture in Melville. The meeting went better than we could have expected!

Representatives from the Melville Business Association, Stokvel Gallery, Resource Gallery, Studio 79, Avalon Art, Studio 401 (Tintanic), chiesa di PAZZO LUPi, AA Art Gallery and solo creatives were all present. We had a couple of rain checks, but major interest shown by Melville Mudroom, Indoni Arts & Entertainment and Die Pienk Kerk as well.

I think it's safe to say something's cooking in Melville. As this idea is still in its very early stages, we can't give too much info yet, but stay tuned to find out more about the Melville Art Mile's First Thursdays launch event. How exciting?!

Want to get involved? Reply to this email. We're looking for people who can volunteer their time to help with coordination, marshalling and admin.

Icing On The Cake 🧁 

From Seed to Plate: Community Garden Takes Root at Satellite Station

It's a delicious week to be a Melvillain!

A food sovereignty organisation named Plenty Green Africa has moved into the Satellite station. Sadly, the YES programme that was stationed there has pulled out of our community - but hey, their loss is another's gain. (One team's exit is another's garden party, right?)

Nkululeko Motloung, a fellow JoziWalks 2025 alumni has secured a space at the Satellite station to have a go at creating a traditional farming, sustainable gardening practice that grows fresh organic produce.

Plenty Green doesn't just plant crops. They first create an ecosystem for organic plants to thrive by bringing in pollinators, beneficial insects like earthworms and removing invasive plants. They stray away from mono-farming culture and focus on perma-culture bringing in indigenous plants.

The goal is to build a sustainable community garden for the Melville people to have access to high quality, seasonal produce. They want to be a contributing part of the community by doing meal preps, workshops on food sovereignty, have a presence at markets and possibly eventually supply our local eateries. Plenty Green are intentional about not contributing to food waste, so to make sure nothing slips through the cracks, they’ve built a culture of sharing food with the community.

They want to invite unemployed youths or people interested in growing food at home to come contribute to the communal garden and in turn, become some of their first “beneficiaries”.

Get Involved

They're currently in the set-up phase, aiming to start planting within the next three weeks. Nkuli hopes to have the first fruits of his labour ready for the community to taste by Christmas week and be fully operational by Januworry. (Just in time to make our bank accounts feel a bit better!)

You can also support our new communal garden by donating compost or wood chips, and in turn get on the beneficiary list at first harvest!

You can contact Nkuli at 065 866 5039

Thank you! 🙏

Thank you for tuning in to this week's Melville Untold. We hope you read something that made you smile!

Enjoyed the read? Give us a tip, buy us a coffee! Payshap id: 0605293425 (Standardbank)or Snap Scan

Have an event on? Book our photo or video services to capture those special moments.

Read something cool? Forward this email to a friend who loves Melville. 🤍

Til next Wednesday, Melville,

Stay sweet, stay strong, and stay sexy!

Moce✌️