Fourways’ ‘Sandwich Kiing’ has hustled for his success
Itumeleng had to hustle for R800 to start his sandwich business.
Many know Itumeleng Lekomanyane for his delicious sandwiches which he used to sell at the intersections of William Nicol and Fourways Drive every morning.
With his own recipes and a bubbly personality to match, for almost a year, Lekomanyane made it hard for Fourways residents not to splash some cash on his sandwiches.
But the story of how he ventured into the world of business, is also one for the books. He came to Johannesburg in 2019 for greener pastures and with only R800 in his pocket, he was able to start his own business that he named, Sandwich Nton Nton.
“I had to hustle for that R800. I was motivated by my daughter because everything that I do is for her. The money was for her maintenance. But for that month, I decided to quit everything I was doing to start my own thing.”
He said this turned out to be the best decision he could ever make in his life. Lekomanyane told Fourways Review that he started doing research to set himself apart from other sandwich makers in the neighbourhood.
He added that his research has also led him to make his own sauces from just a simple video tutorial on Youtube.
“When I looked around me, I realized that everyone was selling the same thing. You know, magwinya [fat cakes] scones, biscuits, etc. so I did not want to do what everyone else was doing. Then I was like ‘I have never seen anyone selling sandwiches’. Afterwards, I decided to take my chances, I bought everything I needed to start,” he explained.
He has to wake up at around 02:00 every morning to make up to 30 sandwiches. He said that sometimes he would be forced to wake up earlier than that.
“I did this because I wanted to leave the house at around 04:30 so that I would be at the intersections by 05:00. And if maybe the production is something big, then I wake up at midnight depending on the time of the month as well.”
He said that since then, his sandwiches started selling like hotcakes and that forced him to create employment for other young people.
“So, with that extra hand, we were able to make up to 200 to 300 sandwiches a day,” and would take home more than R20 000 a month.
He has also had his fair share when it comes to challenges, he said amongst others, JMPD would come and confiscate his stock on a daily basis.
“It was tough for us as street vendors but what can we do? I had to soldier on, let go and let God. I was pushed by my resilience whether it was finances or the JMPD, I just showed up in everything that I faced.”
His hard work and dedication have paid off, Lekomanyane employs about ten employees currently and has his own establishment in Parktown. That is why he is no longer at the intersections in Fourways with his tasty sandwiches.
“To live like a king, you must work like a slave. That is why I always advise young people that they should take charge when it comes to turning their dreams into reality. I am no longer waking up at 02:00 in the morning.”
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