24 Sep 2015

Everyday Ms Goitsemang Khupe wakes up early in the morning to make fat cakes, scones and bread loaves to sell to customers for the upkeep of her family.   

Ms Khupe told BOPA in an interview that she would do whatever it takes to give her family a dignified livelihood and that ever since she started her bakery project, the profits generated have been good enough to transform her life.  

“I am now able to meet my basic needs and those of my children which was a difficult thing before I started the bread business,” she said.   

Starting up the business was not easy for her because as soon as the pangs of unemployment started biting her, she timidly approached the Social and Community Development (S&CD) office in Tutume for intervention.   

She said she would never forget that day because when she came out of the council offices she had been assisted with a bakery project funding.   

“I am not academically gifted but I felt highly motivated and anxious to start up what would become our daily means of survival,” said the mother of five.   

Ms Khupe said after assessment she was given equipment which included a four-burner gas stove, a gas cylinder, a power generator, different baking trays, and a fridge, among other things.   

She also said through the S&CD office, she went for a short training on baking so as to enhance her skills before she started making and selling her products to the residents. She has also got a three month contract to cater for Ipelegeng employees.  

“I have been catering for Ipelegeng employees for three months now and with the payments I have received so far, I have managed to renovate my house and connect electricity,” she said.   

The baker has vowed to work hard to sustain her business because if it collapses she will become poor as there will be no means of income.   

She added that every day she wakes up at 4 am and start preparing the dough for fresh bread.    

“I hate to serve my customers with stale bread; as such I try as much as possible to stick to issues of customer satisfaction,” she said.   

The sole owner of the project said although she has advanced equipment such as an oven stove, she prefers to use fire wood for baking as it is relatively cheaper, adding that she has constructed an oven out in the open space.   

“The use of fire wood is quiet cheaper to use as I collect them myself and I have decided to spare gas fuel for the rainy weather,” she said.   

She also highlighted that operating from home gives her more chances to attend to other household errands while keeping an eye on her business, adding that her schedule gets hectic in the morning only and in the afternoon she is a bit free to attend to other necessities. 

“My project started off relatively small but I will work hard and remain focused so that it gains more momentum,” she said.   

Ms Khupe said one of the challenges she is faced with is that customers often disappear without settling their debts thereby compromising profit margins.   

Despite such challenges, Ms Khupe praised the project as it has saved her from the pangs of hunger.   She also appreciates the cooperation and support she always receives from the S&CD office, noting that it is one of the aspects that motivate her to work tirelessly. Ends