Tsakani – Queen and Herbert Matome, a blind couple from Tsakani, recently founded a snack shop in their community.

The idea to open a snack shop in an area mostly occupied by learners came when Queen Matome wanted a sustainable way to keep herself occupied while her husband focused on his law studies.

She explained that another reason for starting the business was to avoid offering the same services as others, since their area already has many Kota outlets.

“The reason I wanted to see this shop up and running is because as blind people, we have limited access to job opportunities.

“We are often undermined and overlooked, and I wanted to change the narrative. Several people have tried to assist us, but they did not share our vision,” she explained.

She emphasised that when Zama van der Merwe stepped in to help with shop duties, he introduced innovative ideas.

The shop started by selling popcorn, sweets, and small refreshments such as ice and frozen treats. Through Van der Merwe’s innovative ideas, the business now makes its own snacks from scratch.

Inspired by popular brands of crisps, Van der Merwe makes snacks using secret ingredients. His passion for business and innovation started after completing his studies in IT and entrepreneurship.

“The journey towards creating things from scratch was inspired by my late father, who used to bake cakes for the community. After his death, I saw how his passion for baking supported our family and brought joy to others,” he explained.

His snack-making journey began as a simple attempt to make pies, but it soon turned into an innovative idea of creating unique corn-based snacks. He said the first batches were not perfect, but he persisted, which eventually paid off.

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“I made my friends, family, and neighbours taste my snacks, and none of them believed I had made them from scratch. Soon, everyone was asking to buy them.

“My breakthrough came when I started working here; that’s when demand grew rapidly, leading to the idea of integrating my snacks into the shop,” he added.

“I use crushed corn to create a special flour blend, which develops crunchy, flavourful snacks that stand out in the local market. Unlike conventional products, these snacks come with added toppings such as sauces, giving them a unique edge,” he said.

Van der Merwe said the reception from schoolchildren and community members has been overwhelmingly positive, with some customers even saying the snacks taste better than well-known international brands.

“We easily run out of stock, and people keep asking for more. But as with any growing business, there are challenges. The shop needs proper registration, packaging equipment, and health certification to expand into bigger markets.

“Currently, limited resources make it difficult to meet demand. But still, my dream remains alive,” expressed Van der Merwe.

Herbert admitted that starting and maintaining the business has not been easy, as they keep finding ways to improve. He added that they are still working to supply the public with snacks despite high costs.

“We are also looking into incorporating other food items on the go that community members or schoolchildren might appreciate.”

Looking ahead, the entrepreneurs want to combine their IT background, community work, and food business to create opportunities for others. Their hope is to train young people in practical skills, provide employment, and inspire the next generation of innovators.

They are also seeking sponsorship from individuals and business stakeholders to help build a reputable business in the heart of Tsakani.

The couple hopes to inspire other people living with disabilities to believe in themselves and unlock their full potential in different spheres of life.