12 Aug 2014

Two Lesoma women have partnered to form a bakery business venture under the flagship of poverty eradication programme.

Ms Keitumetse John, 24, and Ms Nakwesi Ntengu, 34, are another success story of the programme in the Chobe District. Trained by the Rural Industries Promotions Company (RIPCO) in baking, the women have harnessed their skills to elevate themselves from poverty by baking an assortment of delicious treats.

The dynamic duo are both residents of Lesoma, and they have been in the business for almost a month. Operating their business from a Village Development Committee single room, the bakers are able to supply and deliver fresh bread to the village and its only primary school.

“We were fortunate to have the Chobe District Council providing us with all the necessary ingredients, baking utensils and a refrigerator as well as two lucrative tenders,” boasted Ntengu.

They supply not only to Lesoma but Kazungula Primary School as well, with over 800 mini loaves every Thursday morning between the two schools. “It keeps us on our toes but we are loving every moment of it,” said  John.

Fortunately, Lesoma primary is a stone throw away therefore delivering the loaves is accomplished with ease, whereas for Kazungula Primary transportation is arranged every Thursday morning by the Chobe District Council.
Additionally, the bakery also sells scones, biscuits and fat cakes. 

“During the week we have residents of Lesoma purchasing our oven baked treats,” says John. The oven was built in 2012 by RIPCO.

The challenge that they face is that the oven uses firewood, and it is hard to find time to collect from the surrounding veld because of their busy schedule. 

As a result they have employed one gentleman who comes in once a week to chop fire wood for the oven.

A normal day for the bakers begins around 2am and ends at 7pm in the evening. 

“The hours are long as we wake at the crack of dawn to mix and knead the dough, but it gets easier every day,” said Ntengu. ENDS