Katlehong couple partner to run a food business
“My grandmother, who taught me to cook, inspired me to venture into this kind of business.”
Despite many challenges facing small local businesses in informal settlements, Katlehong couple Xolani Khumalo (38) and Lebogang Mohloai (33) are after a decade determined to turn their business into a community success.
The couple started a food business name XL ( Xoske and Lebogang) Drive Thru located at 1930 Phenduka Street, Siluma View, Katlehong, in 2010.
With a start-up capital of R1 800, they set up XL Drive-Thru with a braai stand and a gas stove selling hotdogs only.
Their passion and patience saw the business grow from just selling hotdogs to selling lunch and supper meals including among others kotas, ribs, boerewors, chicken, steak, iskopo (cow-head stew) served with pap or rice and salads.
The community and school children are supporting XL and because of their suitable business location, the pair also benefit from customers from Sontonga Mall.
A plate of food costs at least R35 while children, mostly from Lungisani Primary School, enjoy a special of R10 a plate.
Khumalo and Mohloai have been running XL for at least 12 years, with the worst two years due to the pandemic.
Coming from a background in business Mohloai took the initiative to start the business shortly after leaving her job at a retail store. This was after she completed her studies in business management at Ekurhuruleni West College.
“I love being independent and I wanted to create jobs for the youth as well as inspire them to start their own initiatives.
“At the time I started it I was not employed, but I realised that you don’t have enough time when you are employed.
“It gets difficult to get days off from work, even when my children are sick. This is why I decided to start the business to support my family,” said Mohloai.
Khumalo and Mohloai, who got engaged in 2011, are blessed with three boys aged two, 11, and 16.
Khumalo who was employed at the time left his job to assist with the business. At that stage, they usually operated on weekends, but currently operate seven days a week from 11:00 to 21:00.
With the cooking skills he acquired from his family, he currently manages the daily business operations.
“I always wanted to have a fried chicken business. My grandmother inspired me to venture into this kind of business. She taught me to cook and I learned from reading recipes in magazines and watching cooking shows,” said Khumalo.
He said he aims to enrol for studies at a university or a college to advance his skills and learn about opportunities in the industry.
Challenges and future business plans
Mohloai said although the business is running smoothly, they still encounter many challenges.
“Our challenge is that we sometimes have a fluctuating supply and demand, causing that we cannot reach our targets,” she said.
She further said they cannot afford to employ people at this stage, resulting in the challenge when one of them is sick.
Khumalo echoed this, saying their daily target is usually between R200 and R300 a day but sometimes they finish a business day empty-handed.
“Another challenge we have is funding. We have never received funding for the business and think if we do get financial assistance that it will help in expanding the business.”
He said their business made them realise they would like to own a big restaurant with branches around the township.
“I need to go to school and obtain a certificate because this will not only sharpen my skills but will expose me to business opportunities and expansion ideas,” said Khumalo.
