Kule Mahumapelo’s journey is one of grit, grace, and purpose — a self-made woman who dared to dream beyond her circumstances. Raised in a family of entrepreneurs, it was her mother who planted the first seeds of belief. “My mother taught me to bake, to sell food during school holidays, and to believe that I could stand on my own,” she recalls.
That belief blossomed into an African cuisine restaurant, serving home-style meals with heart. More than a business, it was a statement of identity and independence. Nearly 30 years ago, Kule began cooking from her Mafikeng home for just ten customers a day. Those humble beginnings, built on trust and consistency, became the foundation for her next chapter — owning a McDonald’s franchise.
The journey was not easy. In 2014, she closed her restaurant, resigned from her stable government job, and entered a gruelling nine-month McDonald’s training programme in Pretoria West without a salary. “I had to walk away from certainty and lean into faith. I told my family there would be no income for months. It was one of the hardest choices, but it was a dream I had to fulfil.”
Her husband, siblings, father, and children provided unwavering emotional and financial support. “I could never have done this alone,” she says. “Their belief in me held me up when the risk seemed too big.”
Today, Kule proudly owns three McDonald’s restaurants: two in Mahikeng and one in Zeerust – employing dozens and serving thousands daily. Her background as a former Director of Labour Relations and Employee Wellness informs her people-focused leadership. “I don’t just manage, I mop floors, run overnight shifts, and work in the kitchen. Leadership is about presence, not position.”
She credits her long-time team member, Mbongiseni, who started as part-time maintenance staff and is now a Second Assistant Manager after ten years. “He taught me to master the kitchen, how to assemble burgers – everything. That’s growth. That’s family.”
Her rise, however, has not been without prejudice. As the wife of a prominent political figure, Kule had to prove her success was earned through sacrifice, not connections. “I had to work twice as hard to show this was built on vision and sweat.”
Beyond her stores, Kule is a philanthropist and mentor. She founded the Annual HIV/AIDS School Soccer Tournament, partnering with legends like the late Philemon Masinga and Fabian McCarthy to educate and uplift youth. She also champions women in leadership through her Leadership Spousal Support Programme, encouraging women married to high-profile men to reclaim their own identities. “Before I am my husband’s wife, I am Kule, a woman with dreams of her own.”
As McDonald’s South Africa marks 30 years, her restaurants stand as symbols of excellence and empowerment. Reflecting on her decade as an Owner-Operator, Kule says: “More than business – I want to build a legacy. I want every woman, every girl, to know it’s possible to lead global brands with dignity and authenticity.”
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