Thohoyandou entrepreneur builds thriving cake business

LIMPOPO – “Innovation is a virtue you must cultivate to succeed in life, especially when you’re young.”

This is according to the 33-year-old Unarine Tshivhase from Shayandima township near Thohoyandou. She is the proud owner of Zwothe Cakes, a growing bakery business that specialises in cakes, muffins and scones.

Tshivhase, who holds a degree in human resources management from the Tshwane University of Technology, started her business using pocket money.

Today, Zwothe Cakes is not only a successful cake shop, but also a supplier of baking equipment and a provider of baking classes to clients from across the country, including Johannesburg, Pretoria and Tzaneen.

“I registered Zwothe Cakes and started hosting baking classes, and now I have two employees,” Tshivhase said. “The inspiration came from my late mother, who encouraged me to do something productive while I was still applying for jobs. With her support, I began baking in 2018.”

Before shifting her full attention to baking, Tshivhase had dabbled in fashion design after graduating in 2015. But it was in the kitchen where she found her true calling. “The journey hasn’t been easy, but I will never give up,” she said.

“What makes us special is our dedication and the unique taste of our cakes. We aim to provide the best service, always without disappointments.”

Her long-term goal is to expand the business into a national brand, opening branches throughout South Africa and supplying major retail stores.

“My dream is to sell cakes to every individual in South Africa,” she concluded.