It’s time to take a nostalgic trip down memory lane and remember some of the iconic drinks South Africans once loved, but which have since disappeared from shelves.
Over the years, many beverages captured our hearts, became part of our childhoods and everyday lives, and then quietly faded away.
Legacy lives on
While they may no longer be readily available, their legacy lives on through fond memories and social media throwbacks.
A recent video shared by content creator Jandre de Beer reignited the conversation, reminding South Africans of FIVE once-popular drinks that defined different eras.
@jandre_db Drinks South Africans loved, but you don’t see on shelves anymore. If you grew up on corner-shop snacks, wait for number 1. Some were in every fridge, some were your lunchbox flex. Tell me which one you miss most. Number 5, gone the longest, is Bibo. Coke launched those fruity squeeze pouches back in 1998. Kids took them to school every day, then they got discontinued in 2004. Number 4 is Fresca. It was that grapefruit-style soda that showed up in the early 90s. They ran those “Nothing tastes like Fresca” ads everywhere, then it just disappeared. Number 3 is Coca-Cola Life. The one with the green label that used sugar plus stevia. Coca-Cola killed it in 2020 when they were cutting weaker brands. Number 2 is TaB. For years, it was the caffeine-free diet cola so many people swore by. Coca-Cola ended it in South Africa by the end of 2022. And in first place, the most recent goodbye… Nestlé South Africa stopped making the chocolate and strawberry powders on 21 August 2023. You can still spot it sometimes because some stores bring in imported stock. That’s Nesquik.
TaB
TaB, a Coca-Cola product, was one of the early diet sodas and gained a loyal following among consumers looking for a lower-sugar alternative. Its distinct taste made it a staple for many households.
Despite its popularity, TaB was officially discontinued in 2020, leaving fans disappointed when it finally fizzled off store shelves.
Nesquik
Few drinks evoke childhood memories quite like Nesquik. From its unmistakable smell to its rich chocolate or strawberry flavour, the powdered milkshake was a firm favourite for generations of South Africans.
The brand was eventually discontinued locally following a decline in demand, although some retailers still stock imported versions. These imports, however, come at a much higher price, and many fans insist the taste just isn’t the same anymore.
Bibo
Launched in the 1990s by Coca-Cola, Bibo juice pouches were a lunchbox essential for schoolchildren across the country. Convenient, colourful and sweet, Bibo was as popular with adults as it was with kids.
Despite its success, Bibo didn’t last long and disappeared in the early 2000s, becoming one of South Africa’s most-missed childhood drinks.
Coca-Cola Life
Introduced in 2013, Coca-Cola Life was marketed as a lower-calorie alternative sweetened partly with stevia. While it generated initial curiosity, it never gained strong traction with consumers.
The drink was eventually removed from shelves globally in 2020, as Coca-Cola streamlined its product range during budget cuts.
Fresca
With its catchy slogan, “Nothing tastes like Fresca,” this citrus-flavoured drink made a strong impression thanks to memorable advertising campaigns.
However, despite the hype, Fresca’s popularity was short-lived and it eventually vanished from South African shelves, much to the disappointment of fans.
Woven into South Africa’s culture
While these drinks may no longer be part of everyday life, they remain deeply woven into South Africa’s culture and personal memories.
Thanks to viral videos and online nostalgia, they continue to spark conversations – and cravings – proving that some flavours are simply unforgettable.
