A first-of-its-kind refill store aimed at reshaping how South Africans access essential goods, while advancing the circular economy, was officially launched this week in Diepsloot, Gauteng.

Located at Chuma Mall, the innovative initiative represents a step forward in affordable, sustainable consumption and access to everyday essentials in underserved communities.

The SKUBU Project is led by Sonke Retail in partnership with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, made possible through the Circular Economy Demonstration Fund. The initiative is also supported by TRANSFORM, a global partnership involving Unilever, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Ernst & Young.

Described as the first store of its kind globally, SKUBU enables consumers to purchase only what they need through smart, automated refill machines, offering essential items at fixed rand/litre prices while reducing the use of single-use plastic packaging. The model is said to provide up to 50% savings compared to conventional retail outlets and is aimed at increasing affordability and sustainability.

MANZI Water is featured among the brands selected for the new platform, offering clean, and affordable drinking water to the Diepsloot community at a price of just R1.00 per litre.

"We are incredibly proud that MANZI Water is part of this groundbreaking development," said CEO of MANZI Water Alfred Challis. "Our inclusion in the SKUBU Project underscores our commitment to making safe, clean drinking water accessible to all, and we are excited to see the positive impact this will have in Diepsloot."

Challis notes that the willingness of internal stakeholders Pasquale and Belinda Frese, owners of multiple MANZI Water outlets in Johannesburg, to join the initiative was instrumental in positioning MANZI Water to be able to partner with influential supporters of the project and has helped to strengthen its presence in the market.

MANZI Water says it anticipates that SKUBU will serve as a scalable model for sustainable development across South Africa, opening future possibilities for licensees across the network.