22 May 2013

It is mid-morning and Cakwe Bakery is already lively, tantalising smell of cookeries welcomes everyone to the otherwise quiet Mogobane.

For passers-by, it would not be easy to resist the temptation that comes along the whirling morning breeze. Muffins, fat cakes, scones and loafs are some of those that the bakery has earned an unwavering reputation from.

In the nearby residence, the smell spells out one thing, it is a good morning and the everyday baked delicacies are ready for feeding. Within a twinkle of an eye, customers will unsystematically knock at the bakery’s door, which is burglar-barred for intruders. Though this might seem to be a barrier, the customers seem unyielding as the burglar door has established itself as a reputable service point.

Often, customers would lean upon the burglar bar, smile with the cashier and pay before going their ways with their goodies, which are in most cases fat cakes. Since opening in January last year, Cakwe Bakery has been the village destination for some of the resident’s best tasting such as muffins, scones, cakes and fat cakes.

All these good taste are created amid unbelievable fact that the chief cook and owner, Ms Lydia Kokwe is only pushed by her passion for baking and desire to live better. “I have no formal training. I do this out of love. No experience, nothing,” she says.

This makes her a stranger to private enterprise too, with a slight exception that her entrepreneurial bent can be traced to her junior high school years, in the Home Economics laboratories. Back then, she conceived a dream of making a living out of baking, although the dream was built on childish novitiate, when the reality of life stuck, the mother of two remembered the old dream.

“The challenge is that I am financing this bakery from my own pocket”. Though she perceives this as a challenge, it could also show her fearless determination of even venturing into the unknown.

Unlike others living is some rural parts of the country who have succumbed to the difficulties of life and some are already worn-out due to heavy reliance on alcohol or other risky lifestyles, Ms Kokwe has remained optimistic to change her life for better. The bakery she crafted is not only her source of income but is also a beacon of hope for other two youthful employees.

“I would not even think of closing this bakery, even if I can go through stiff challenges,” she asserts. The revelation alone will give hope to the two youthful employees of the enterprise, Ms Masego Motlhalefi (27) and Ms Lapologang Letshwiti (24).

Through a relief considering youth unemployment figures in the country, the business is still faced with a gigantic task of convincing the South East District that they can indeed supply Mogobane schools with bread.

“We are not supplying the primary school or the secondary school, they are supplied from outside the village,” she says. However, she says should the council consider localising the supply to Mogobane, the bakery would be glad for the challenge.

But what pains Ms Kokwe is that, the current setup seems to be frustrating the government efforts of spreading the country’s cake through supporting businesses in their localities. The situation is further compounded by the decision of Ipelegeng programme not to purchase its food ration supply from local business but opt for individual suppliers.

“That has affected our business, but we are still up for the challenge,” says Ms Kokwe who is still furnishing the business with modern equipment. And should any need arise, she would not hesitate to approach financiers to improve the business.  “I am yet to approach LEA (Local Enterprise Authority) for business advice and mentorship,” she pointed out with confidence oozing from her face.

The borne of that confidence comes from the fact that since their operations 16 months ago, the bakery has transformed from using the wooden-fire oven to electric ovens. “All these equipment I have brought using my family resources,” and points that in the not so distant future, Cakwe Bakery would have earned its mark in Mogobane and the entire district. ENDS