2014: A small idea in Umhlanga takes shape
Snow Cream was founded in 2014 in Umhlanga, Durban, at a time when customers were looking for something different from the usual dessert options. The first focus was simple: make shaved snow ice with a light texture, clean flavour and toppings that felt generous without becoming heavy. That first year set the tone for everything that followed. The team spent long hours refining the process, testing flavours and learning what local customers wanted after a hot Durban day or a long week at work.
The early days were hands-on from the start. Nokuthula Zanele Mthembu led the business from day one, with a practical focus on quality, service and making each order feel personal. There was no rush to be everything to everyone. The aim was to do one thing properly and let word of mouth do the rest. In Umhlanga and nearby areas, customers started to notice that snow ice could be refreshing, playful and still carefully made.
2015 to 2016: Building a loyal local following
As the first regular customers returned, Snow Cream began to build a loyal following in and around Umhlanga, Durban and La Lucia. The team learnt quickly that the local climate played its part. On warm coastal days, people wanted desserts that felt cool but not overly rich, and that is where snow ice fit in naturally. Families started visiting after outings, friends came in groups, and first-time customers often returned with someone new.
During this period, the business put real effort into consistency. Portions, presentation and flavour combinations had to be reliable whether it was a quiet weekday or a busy weekend. That attention to detail became one of the earliest strengths of the business. Snow Cream also began to get a clearer understanding of event demand, especially for birthdays and private celebrations where hosts wanted something a bit different from standard cake and ice cream.
- Focus on in-store service and repeat customers
- Refined flavour balance and topping combinations
- Learned what works best in Durban's warm coastal weather
- Started taking early interest in small party orders
2017 to 2019: From dessert counter to event partner
By 2017, Snow Cream was no longer just a place to buy dessert in store. More people began asking for catering, and the business responded by shaping its service around events of different sizes. Birthdays, school functions, office treats and family gatherings all called for a practical setup, especially when hosts wanted something fun but easy to manage. The business developed live serving station options, drop-off dessert cups and event setup support so that service could suit the venue and the crowd.
These years were important because they showed that the product worked well beyond the shop. Snow ice held its appeal at events where guests wanted something light after a meal, and it worked especially well for larger groups. The team also became more comfortable with working around venue rules, load-shedding plans and timing on event days, which is part of doing business in South Africa. A well-run dessert service needs more than flavour. It needs planning, timing and people who understand how events actually unfold.
- Expanded from walk-in desserts to full catering services
- Added birthday, wedding and corporate catering
- Built experience for school events, festivals and mall activations
- Strengthened event planning and delivery for larger groups
2020 to 2021: Resilience during a difficult period
Like many South African businesses, Snow Cream had to adapt during a difficult period when events changed quickly and people were more cautious about gatherings. This was a time that called for flexibility. The business focused on smaller orders, safer service options and practical ways to keep serving customers who still wanted a treat for home or for a small celebration. Drop-off dessert cups and home party catering became especially useful, and the team kept refining the way orders were packed and delivered.
It also became a period of quiet strength. The brand had already built a strong base in Umhlanga and Durban, so it could rely on returning customers while adjusting the way it worked. A business survives moments like that through discipline more than anything else. The team kept standards steady, kept communication clear and continued to make sure each order matched the occasion. That approach helped Snow Cream come through the period with its reputation intact.
2022 to 2023: Expanding into KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng
As events picked up again, Snow Cream started serving a broader area, including Ballito, Pietermaritzburg, Hillcrest, Johannesburg and Sandton. This expansion was driven by demand from customers who wanted the same style of dessert for private functions, workplace celebrations and larger corporate gatherings. It also reflected the growing appetite for themed dessert experiences at weddings, product launches and school events where a live serving station can add something memorable without being complicated.
By this stage, the business had a clearer service structure. Custom menu catering allowed event hosts to tailor the dessert offering to their guest list, while large group catering made planning easier for bigger numbers. The team under Jason Naidoo, Ayanda Khumalo, Megan Pillay, Sibusiso Dlamini and Leanne Govender supported the day-to-day operations that keep events moving on time. From the store in Umhlanga to venues across two provinces, the goal stayed the same: serve well, arrive prepared and keep the experience easy for the customer.
- Served more customers across KZN and Gauteng
- Worked with private homes, schools, offices and event venues
- Developed custom menus for different guest counts and tastes
- Improved logistics for delivery, setup and live service
Today: A dessert business shaped by people and place
Today, Snow Cream continues to serve Taiwanese-style shaved snow ice desserts in store and at events across Umhlanga, Durban, Ballito, Pietermaritzburg and Johannesburg. The business has grown without losing the simple reason it started: to offer a dessert that feels light, fun and worth sharing. Customers still come for flavour, but they also come because the service is clear, organised and suited to real-life occasions. Whether it is a birthday at home, a wedding reception or a school fundraiser, the team understands that the dessert must fit the moment.
The years since 2014 have been about steady growth rather than sudden change. From one local idea to a trusted catering business, Snow Cream has built its history through practical service, local knowledge and a product that suits South African tastes and weather. It has stayed close to its roots in Umhlanga while extending its reach to more towns and cities. That balance of local presence and wider service is what has carried the business forward.
What has remained the same since day one
Even as the business has expanded, a few things have stayed constant. Quality matters. Preparation matters. And the customer experience matters just as much as the dessert itself. The business has always worked with the understanding that people want more than a sweet treat. They want a service they can trust, especially when they are planning an event with many moving parts. That means arriving ready, keeping portions consistent and making sure the dessert station or delivery setup suits the venue.
Snow Cream's history is not just a timeline of trading years. It is a record of listening to customers, adjusting to changing needs and finding a place in Durban's dessert scene through practical work. From a first scoop in 2014 to catering across KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng today, the story is still being written one event, one order and one happy customer at a time.