Humbulani’s baked goods makes her customers smile
Humbulani Tshisikhawe said her passion started in high school and that she learnt her skills from her grandmother.
LIMPOPO – Humbulani Tshisikhawe did not want to spend her whole life working for other people.
She told CV how she always wanted to start something for herself and create jobs for her fellow South Africans.
Baking cakes helped her do just that.
Tshisikhawe, from Mavhunda village outside Thohoyandou, has vast experience she acquired in her baking business, Tshisi Cake Pty Ltd, she has successfully run for years.
She receives orders for cakes from as far as Mpumalanga and across Limpopo daily.
“I run a fully functioning bakery, waking up at 03:00 every morning. I love baking with a passion, and this is why it never feels like work. Baking has a way of making a person smile; it is like therapy. You should see how my clients react when collecting their cakes. It motivates me and makes me want to do more so I can put a smile on many faces.”
She said her passion started way back when she was in high school, learning the skill from her grandmother as she used to bake vetkoekies.
“What is important is to take care of my customers and to deliver their orders on time. Being a baker means a lot to me, as I see it as a career. My goal is to be even more successful and own a bakery in a village. The journey is highly competitive with other baking companies. To be more successful you need to put in more effort into your business. After all, there are many competitors.”
She says her family is very supportive, assisting her with other things while she takes responsibility for the deliveries.
“There is an increased desire for nutritious and delicious baked goods. Good bread is a rare combination of nutrition, convenience, and luxury. Today’s consumer has less time to create wholesome, handmade bread, but increasingly appreciates the nutritional and sensory benefits it provides. Good bread provides fibre and carbohydrates in a convenient, low-fat form. Good bread never goes out of style,” she said.
She told CV that she has business acumen running in her veins.
“I have other businesses, which have been operating sustainably over the years although they are small-scale. I plan to work solely at the bakery, creating a plan for starting and running a small or medium bakery,” she concluded.
