From uncertainty to Afrobites NZ
"Without the mentorship, I don’t think I’d be where I am now". Justina in her food truck Afrobites NZ on her official launch day, 2 May 2026.
When Justina Thevede-Bain arrived in Central Otago from Eswatini with her family, she brought with her a deep love of food and years of experience in catering, chef mentoring and training workshops. Behind her was a successful culinary business; ahead was the uncertainty of starting again in a new country.
Being awarded a year-long mentorship marked a turning point. With support to understand food control requirements, business processes, verification, and networking, Justina began to move from uncertainty to possibility.
Less than a year later, she opened Afrobites NZ, a food truck inspired by her Mozambican and Swazi roots.
Justina’s contribution has now reached well beyond her business.
During Welcoming Week and the Festival of Adult Learning 2025, she presented and catered for the Whakarongo Mai Listening Lounge, where she described how food, love, life and work are woven together. She encouraged parents who have moved to New Zealand to give their children a better future to remember their own dreams and aspirations too.
She later led Kai, Culture and Conversation, a workshop where she showed participants how to cook Feijoada, a budget-friendly family favourite from Mozambique. The session ended with everyone sharing the meal, bringing together people from different backgrounds through food and storytelling.
The mentorship was a collaboration between Business Mentors NZ, Business South, and Central Otago Welcoming Communities to help newcomers build confidence, capability, and connections as they re-establish their lives and careers.
Sarah Trotman, ONZM, Business Mentors NZ Chief Executive says, “BMNZ is immensely proud to support Justina’s business journey and the wider Welcoming Communities Initiative. Her success is a testament to the value of having a Business Mentor, as well as the resilience of small business owners.”
Business Mentors NZ is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to nurturing business growth nationwide through one-to-one business mentoring. If you are interested in being supported by a Business Mentor, click here.
