In the rural heart of Sekhukhune district in Limpopo, where dusty roads wind through the villages of Apel and Ga-Phasha, a quiet revolution in small business is simmering over open flames.
At the centre of it, is 39-year-old entrepreneur Mogoshadi Mphela, who is the founder of Dipitsa tsa Mogoshadi, a proudly traditional catering business feeding more than just hunger but fuelling opportunity.
Mphela’s journey began with a familiar scene at a local wedding. The family had bought plenty of groceries, expecting the usual large village turnout.
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But by mid-morning, nothing was ready. Guests arrived to find empty pots, while hosts were preoccupied with dressing up and last-minute preparations.
“Everyone was focused on looking good, and the pots were left alone,” she recalls. “That’s when it hit me there’s a serious need here.”
From that moment, in February this year, Dipitsa tsa Mogoshadi was born. The idea was simple but powerful, to provide authentic, wood-fired meals using three-legged pots so that families could enjoy events without the pressure of cooking for guests.
But for Mphela, the business was never just about convenience, it was about preserving culture and creating jobs.
“Yes, I wanted to make money,” she says. “But more importantly, I wanted to help people enjoy their special moments and give others a chance to work and earn.”
The catering service quickly gained popularity across the region.
By avoiding artificial additives and spices, which can be harmful to people with chronic illnesses, Mphela’s meals struck a balance between taste, health and tradition.
“Many elders in the village prefer the taste of food made the old way. Firewood and simple ingredients, that’s what makes it special,” she says.
Despite her success, Mphela faces challenges common to many rural SMMEs. They include limited access to funding, age-based restrictions and unrealistic expectations around formal bookkeeping.
“They expect you to have your finances perfect, but no one teaches us how to do that,” she explains. “Still, I made a promise to help families feed their loved ones, and I’m keeping it.”
What Dipitsa tsa Mogoshadi needs most now is equipment support to expand capacity.
It has carved a niche in event catering by specialising in large pot cooking for community events, celebrations, funerals and traditional gatherings.
The business delivers a complete culinary experience, offering full-scale traditional meals prepared on-site.
The basic package starts at R6000, covering three pots of pap, three pots of meat and vegetables. They bring all cooking equipment and staff.
The business currently employs six people – four women and two men. The business model demonstrates how traditional skills and local knowledge can be transformed into sustainable enterprises.
Mphela’s entrepreneurial reach extends far beyond the pot. Under the umbrella of Mogoshadi Mphela Projects, she also runs Mogoshadi Laundromat, Cleaning and Supply Services, Mogoshadi Archaar, and BRB Events and Decor, a venture she established back in 2017.
Each branch of her business shares the same mission, empowering youth and keeping local economies thriving.
Her dream is for Dipitsa tsa Mogoshadi to grow into a national brand with branches across South Africa, not just serving meals but sparking careers.
“I want to help the youth start catering businesses, or whatever they’re passionate about,” she says. “We can all rise together.”
From firewood to fortune, Mphela is proving that even the most traditional pots can cook up a modern vision, one that blends culture, community and empowerment in every serving.
