Aston Manor resident Labani Mgimeti is the founder of Hiteka Kitchen, a healthy school lunch company committed to improving children’s wellbeing through nutrition.

Mgimeti said Hiteka Kitchen was established with a simple but powerful mission: to transform traditional school tuckshops into nutrition hubs offering healthy meals, snacks, seasonal fruits, and education on the importance of good nutrition.

In April 2019, the business launched its first nutrition hub at a local high school, followed six months later by a second.

That same year, Hiteka Kitchen earned third prize at the City of Ekurhuleni Festival of Ideas, affirming the impact of its vision.

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Initially, Mgimeti’s daily responsibilities included sourcing fresh produce, attending business workshops, training staff, developing menus, and overseeing sales and marketing.

Her life, however, changed dramatically on August 4, 2020.

While walking home along Elgin Road after a session with her biokineticist, she was struck by a speeding motorbike and trapped under another vehicle involved in the accident.

“As I lay under the vehicle, one thought echoed in my mind: my life has changed forever,” she recalled.

Witnesses worked for nearly 30 minutes to free her before she was rushed to Arwyp Medical Centre, where she was treated for blunt force trauma to the chest, a dislocated collarbone, and a fractured right wrist. She suffered internal bleeding and required two pints of blood.

Recovery was long and painful.

Mgimeti underwent four surgeries to repair her right wrist, endured PTSD, mild depression, and short-term memory loss, and had to relearn basic tasks such as chopping food and lifting a kettle.

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Her right hand healed three centimetres shorter than before, requiring her brain to adapt to a new way of functioning.

To focus on recovery, she made the difficult decision to send her eight-year-old daughter and six-year-old son to live with her supportive parents in Limpopo while her eldest daughter completed her final year at the University of Pretoria.

In 2022, Hiteka Kitchen was selected to participate in the Fetola Social Entrepreneurship Impact Lab in partnership with FNB.

Though it was a significant opportunity, Mgimeti was emotionally overwhelmed, facing confusion, despair, and frustration as her marriage suffered and the business stagnated.

Through the programme, she was assigned a mentor, Lawrence Muzame of OSSYMDOR Group, who arranged a life coach based in Nevada, USA.

Despite late-night sessions due to time differences, this support played a vital role in her healing.

Later that year, a chance encounter during a lift with Tebogo Matlou led to a life-changing moment. Mgimeti accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Saviour, marking the beginning of a profound spiritual journey.

She joined Kaleideo Gemeente in Glen Marais, becoming involved in the women’s connection group, Kidz Ministry, and the church’s Food Parcel and Clothing Bank.

Despite personal challenges, including separation from her husband and lack of stable accommodation, Mgimeti experienced restoration and spiritual growth.

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With the support of her children, church, and close friends, she renewed her commitment to her business and community.

By 2024, Hiteka Kitchen was supplying Ritual Café with sandwiches and breakfast pots every Sunday and working weekly with Wondering Kitchen at the church. During this period, the company’s logo was refreshed with the help of Chantel and Gideon of Go Nine Photography.

Mgimeti’s journey also included personal achievements.

She began running to support her mental health, joined CrossFit in September 2025, competed in the Kempton Klash event, and completed her first half-marathon at the People’s Race during the Soweto Marathon.

Though she lost full range of motion in her right hand, she adapted to become left-handed dominant.

Her eldest daughter now serves as chief operating officer of Hiteka Kitchen, while Mgimeti continues as strategic leader. Hiteka Kitchen aims to reach 100 learners in 2026 through the Hiteka Buddy Initiative, supporting children in sports, arts, and culture. Parents can subscribe to healthy lunches through the company website: www.hiteka.co.za.

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Mgimeti has also written the foreword for Bennedicter Mhlongo’s Chronicles of a Farmer’s Life and continues to serve in prison ministry, bringing hope to inmates at Modderbee Correctional Facility.

Looking ahead, she plans to complete a half Ironman and make herself available for motivational speaking engagements, sharing her message: “Don’t give up today. Tomorrow is truly a mystery.”

Her journey reflects the promise in Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV): “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Mgimeti continues to walk in obedience, trusting that God is still at work in her life.