Emil Venter is the Founder and CEO of Afro's Chicken. Afro's Chicken started out in Durban in 2012 and has now expanded to 9 stores across Durban. Emil is a serial entrepreneur who also set up and ran of a few of Durban’s favourite restaurants, including Stetta, Scoozi and Sandonato’s. 

In 2016 Afro's Chicken was featured on CNN as one of the world's best street food's and was also featured on National Geographic.  

Emil started the business because, after a career in restaurants, he found things had gotten a little too fussy. Influenced by a photographer friend who took animated pictures of life in Umlazi, they came up with the bright yellow Afro’s design.

He secured the Addington site that still houses the original Afro’s, a take-out in a remodelled shipping container painted bright yellow.

In January 2017, Afro’s expanded to nine stores across Durban. 

For Venter, Afro's simplicity is the key, with a belief that an unpretentious menu and an uncluttered approach to business helped them succeed.

“A menu with reduced choice helps you process orders faster, it reduces stock holdings and general risk. Things work easier and the standard of food is consistent.”