WCW: "I use my gift and love for cooking to make a living"
Simangele Thankfull Buthelezi, a 27-year-old female from KZN's North Coast, shares how she grew her small business when she couldn't find employment.
Happy Women's Day!
Today we wanted to pay tribute to a young woman, one of many in our province, country, and world, who is showing us that you determine your circumstance.
Simangele Thankfull Buthelezi, a 27-year-old woman from Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal, like many others found herself unemployed after her studies.
She is a qualified Community Development Practitioner and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies from the University of Zululand in 2020.
In 2021, after completing a 12-month internship at Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal, she was left unemployed.
Her unemployment didn't leave her bitter or angry though; she decided to use this as an encouragement to start her own business.
Simangele said: "I am a self-taught chef. I told myself that I will use the gift and the love I have for cooking to make a living for myself while waiting for employment."
Her journey started with making fat cakes or Amagwinya and progressed into catering for all sorts of events.
A positive story of striving for what you want when you are faced with no opportunities. Simangele showed us that when all doors seem to be closed, you have an opportunity to open your own door.
In 2021, MaSondiya The Cook became a registered business and she has been doing well ever since.
She has received support from many organisations and from people in her community, but she still faces issues with the lack of catering equipment, which she believes is hindering their growth.
The company still relies on social media and word of mouth for marketing. I aspire to grow my business from strength to strength. I wish to grow until my business is recognised across South Africa, because it is my wish to cater for big events. My short-term goals are to use the money I generate from my business to buy catering equipment that my business needs, as well as to upskill my knowledge about business management. My long-term goal is to have my own restaurant where people can come and enjoy my dishes. I know for sure that my business will create employment for many young people like me.
Check out more from East Coast Radio
Simangele left us with these inspiring words: "I wish to make every little girl, especially from marginalised villages, realise that they can be anything they want to be as long as they put their minds towards achieving their goals."
We love your spirit, Simangele, and hope you reach all your goals and keep striving to achieve your best.
Let this be the motivation you need to work on your passion. If opportunity doesn't come knocking, then make your own opportunity.
Image Supplied