26 Nov 2013

After working for tireless years on baking industries, Mr Joseph Itumeleng can only thank the hard times and patience which has equipped him with skills to make a leaving after he became one of the poverty eradication beneficiaries.

In an interview during a poverty eradication media tour, Mr Itumeleng stated that he had worked in baking industry for 31 years in reputable bakeries among them Downnis and Yedu bakery.

His dream of running a successful bakery became a reality after being funded by the programme with P29 000. Mr Itumeleng said before he could be a beneficiary of the poverty eradication programme, he had already started baking at home but his business could not live to his expectations because he did not have the right equipment.

He revealed that being a beneficiary of the programme had enabled him to overcome the challenge as he used the funds to buy the equipment including a fryer, mixer and fridge to name a few.

Mr Itumeleng explained that before he was funded, he used to specialise on baking scones and fat cakes, which he explained were selling well. He noted that upon being funded, there was a great growth on the business, which he said grew from selling to individuals to tendering and supplying to lodges.

“When I started my target market was very limited but today I am helping those who are tendering for Ipelegeng programme by baking for them and later on they pay me, I also supplying to one lodge in Tati Town called Ebat” he said.

At the moment, he said, the business had three employees but this will not be forever since one of the plans was to expand his business and move from operating at home to suitable place. He added that the business makes up to P15 000 per month, after spending on stock and salaries for employees, he remains with a profit of P5000 which he saves at the bank.

Mr Itumeleng explained that due to some of the challenges the business faced especially distributing to some of his clients, he was forced to save for a car, which he managed to buy this year. Furthermore, Mr Itumeleng said he plans to expand his business at the end of this year by buying an oven amounting to P5000, which he explains will help him bake more on a shorter time.

For those who want to join the programme, Mr Itumeleng adviced them to seriously identify the projects they want to endeavor on and he enthusiastically says their life`s will be changed. ENDS