07 Nov 2016

While some men are still reluctant to engage in female dominated jobs, Messrs Alfred Diarwa and his business partner, Thapelo Leladi have decided to give it a try.

Their mission is to make money and go an extra mile to prove that days when kitchen related chores were considered a taboo for males are over.

The duo have settled well into baking and pastry making and considering where they come from with their business, they are unfazed about what society would perceive about them nor what is traditionally expected.

“We are aware some men out there are still reluctant to engage in women dominated business areas. We do not want to live like that as well. It is all about passion and capability,” said Mr Diarwa.

Both are armed with experience in baking and pastry making received while in the bakery section of several reputable supermarkets,.

Mr Leladi, 29, said he felt fortunate enough to have met his business partner as they share the same vision and have keen interest towards their business.

The business entails cake making for different occasions such as birthdays, weddings and showers and they also make pizzas, scones, rock buns and others.

“With the little savings that we had, we managed to pull strings and got the basics and started operating.

Though we started two months ago, we have managed to penetrate the market,” said Mr Leladi.

He said they have secured a market with a number of some kiosks, some of local supermarkets and some filling stations’ quick shops.

The duo is aware of their competitors, but with their hands on approach, their competitors will have to do more to steal the thunder from them.

Currently, they are content with their profit margins, moreover they appreciate that they do not pay rental bills as they still operate from Mr Leladi’s place.

Mr Leladi further said their attempt to secure funding with the Youth Development Fund (YDF) hit a blank. However, that did not mean the end as they vowed to work tirelessly to build their dream and make it a success.

“We have bought some second hand machines with the intention to introduce other products such as ring buns so as to boost sales.

Though cakes carry a better price since they range from P500 to P2 000 or more depending on the size, they sell at a slow pace because we make them per order,” he said.

Thirty-one-year old Mr Diarwa expressed awareness that challenges would always be part of any enterprise, and acknowledged that it was one way that would make them to seek innovative interventions to help them prosper.

He said their aim was to attract more customers and have a satisfying clientele base. ENDS