Youngster’s handmade kotas are a vibe

#SUPPORTBOKSBURG #SUPPORTHOMEMADE #SUPPORTHANDMADE #CAXTONCARES

October 12, 2021

Ntombikayise Sibeko 2 minutes read

Clinton Stevens holds some of the kotas that he makes to put food on the table at home.

In this week’s edition of Home-made and Handmade, the Advertiser features a young man from Dawn Park who, after losing his job due to the pandemic, decided to become his own boss.

Clinton Stevens (22) is the proud owner of The Kota Café in Dawn Park. Stevens said lockdown made him realise that he needed to get out of his comfort zone.

“Eventually when the hard lockdown was lifted, I was called back to work but things changed because we had to work shorter hours and the pay wasn’t enough.
“At that moment I realised that I had to start my own business and create a better life for myself.”

The 22-year-old said when he opened his business on November 1, he didn’t have enough stock or revenue, but through resilience, he pushed on to make his business idea a reality.

The business, which is run from a friend’s garage, has attracted many feet over the past few months.

“Our kotas are made differently when it comes to presentation, taste and packaging. We didn’t succumb to the pressures of making normal kotas but instead turned ours into an extraordinarily gourmet meal,” said Stevens.

He has experience in the food industry, having worked as a cashier, waiter, kitchen and store supervisor at various well-known restaurants.

His advice to young people is to open their own businesses to help improve the country’s economy.

“When young people start their own business it gives them enough time to learn, make mistakes and try again until they thrive.
“This also helps them to grow and enables them to open up more businesses because they started making money while they were still young,” he said.

Clinton Stevens has worked in the food industry for many years before he decided to open up his business. He has worked as a cashier, waiter, kitchen and store supervisor at various well-known restaurants.

Do you have a microenterprise making home-made or handmade items?
Are you struggling to get the word out there about your products? Then look no further because we have the answer!
We know how many people have been affected by the pandemic.
Some lost their jobs and are starting up (or have started) at home baking cakes or making jewellery.

These are the people we are reaching out to and want to lend a helping hand to. Boksburg Advertiser would like to allow you to list your micro-enterprise on our online platform free of charge.
We are calling on you all to make use of this opportunity to showcase your home-made or handmade items.
The only criteria that will apply are that your products are strictly home-based and products must be home-made or handmade.
In essence, we are looking for Oom Frik and his Biltong Palace, Tania’s Crocheted Cuddle Buddies, Thabo and his Shisa Nyama stand, Sally’s Unique Sandals, Herschelle’s Delicious Desserts or VJ’s Samoosa Corner.

All you have to do is send your name and contact number, email address, description and a photo of your products as well as a Facebook or website link to immaculatem@caxton.co.za and we will do the rest.