Kgomotso Tlhabane had to lose her job to realise what she really wanted to do. Now the owner of the Rustenburg eatery Motsolicious Kitchen says she cannot imagine going back to the office. Tlhabane told Vutivi News that she has always enjoyed cooking traditional meals and decided to turn her passion into an income when she was unemployed and desperate.
“After consulting with my partner, who has experience running businesses, I decided to start the business,” she said. “I have always loved cooking traditional food, and it never crossed my mind that I could do it full time as a business. But when I stared down the barrel of unemployment, I did not like what I saw and took action.” Tlhabane started her business from her home in 2020, using the little bit of money that she had been saving while employed.
“A few months later, I moved from my home to rent a shop, as the demand was rapidly increasing,” she told Vutivi News. “I did not stay long at the shop and soon after I purchased my own container where I currently operate.” Tlhabane serves cow heels, pork trotters, chicken and cow livers, chicken feet, mogodu and chicken stew.
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Each dish comes with a side of vegetables. According to Tlhabane, she serves an average of almost 40 customers per day. “I find that I am particularly busy during winter as the number of customers almost doubles during that period,” she said. Tlhabane also provides catering services for events, seminars, weddings and office functions. This, she said, was the only time she enjoyed going to the office.
“When I started out, I did not envision that the business could be making me so much money in such a short space of time,” Tlhabane said. “Even when I face challenges, such as cooking a lot of stock and having it stay until the next day, I am still able to make a good profit.” And when it comes to the quality of her food, she does not compromise. “I make sure that I do not serve my customers leftover food, as I want to serve them fresh meals on a daily basis.”
Tlhabane said she was pleased with the success of her eatery and was working towards moving to a bigger place. “I am very proud of myself for starting, and for being able to prove to myself that I can do this business on my own,” she said.
