10 May 2018

Motlalepula Mosate (59) of Makgophana ward in Mochudi makes a decent living from her culinary skills of baking.

Ms Mosate told BOPA that her journey has been laced with obstacles largely due to circumstances of life.

“When my marriage failed in the 80s, I was left to fend for myself and my children through piece jobs and I wasn’t able to sustain them because I had to take care of the children at the same time,” she said.

The struggling unemployed single mother of three says life was hard and sometimes her children would go to bed on empty stomachs. Desperation became one of Ms Mosate’s now thriving bakery business.

“I was desperate and I would pray to God every day to show me the light,” she said with a smile.

In 2014, Ms Mosate applied for the government poverty eradication programmes and chose baking on the list of programmes offered. Although Ms Mosate had no experience in baking, she chose it just so she could sustain herself and her family.

Ms Mosate said she went through a month-long confectionary and bakery training with Mobile Cake Decorators, who helped hone her bakery skills. She said in 2016, she received the necessary equipment and startup stock from the government and she has never looked back.

She said in less than a year she was able to make enough money to sustain her family and reinvest in the business by buying a big industrial oven costing P10 500. She said she used a makeshift oven over bonfire outside to bake everything before she bought the big industrial stove.

Ms Mosate said it was not easy, especially during rainy seasons to regulate the heat so the bread does not burn. She said since she got the oven she works more efficiently and consistently as it makes things easier for her.

Ms Mosate specialises in bread loaves, buns, cakes and scones, which she sells and supplies schools with.

She makes P2 000  every week from supplying 632 students of Bogatsu Primary School.

Faith, hard work and focus are key to her success as they have helped her achieve so much with her company. Ms Mosate also supplies general dealers, tuck shops and individuals and offers her services to people during social events such as funerals and weddings in Mochudi, Lobatse and Goodhope, among others.

She remains humble and grateful for the success as she realised what is needed for one to make it in life.

She added that being humble does not mean she has stopped dreaming and aiming for bigger things. She thanked government for helping her as she could have died of stress.

“Through God I know I can achieve anything I put my mind to,” she explained.

Ms Mosate said the only thing on her mind now is to build a bakery to increase her working space and make it easier for her clients to find her in a professional setting. Ends