Turning kitchens into boardrooms, a group of Pietermaritzburg women are baking their way into South Africa’s competitive small business landscape with the help of targeted entrepreneurial training.
An inspiring group of women in Pietermaritzburg are one step closer to turning their culinary dreams into viable businesses, thanks to a recent training hosted by the Zenzele Mbokodo Baking Academy.
The workshop provided hands-on catering and baking skills to both aspiring and established entrepreneurs, who are looking to either start or grow their ventures.
The academy forms part of the broader Zenzele Mbokodo Woman in Action initiative, which was founded by Tamarah Shange, a pastor and advocate for women’s empowerment.
Initially launched to bring women together through entrepreneurship, the programme has grown to offer practical training across multiple sectors, including beadwork, crafts, sewing, catering and baking. The goal is to equip women with the skills and knowledge they need to create sustainable livelihoods.
Among the participants was Sandisiwe Ngubo from Imbali Unit 1 near Pietermaritzburg, who said the workshop gave her the confidence and skills needed to pursue her dream of starting a baking business.
“I’ve always been passionate about baking and cooking,” she said.
“This class helped me see how to turn that passion into a business. I learned professional techniques, cake decorating, food safety and how to manage catering for large events.”
Ngubo was also provided with valuable networking opportunities, which she said left her feeling more prepared to take the next steps, including developing a business plan, seeking funding and promoting her services.
Maletsatsi Mokoena from Aloe Ridge, who started a catering business in 2023, said the training was an opportunity to sharpen her skills and expand her knowledge.
She caters to all types of events, including business meetings, funerals and weddings. Her mission is to deliver great food with love and care.
“We never stop learning,” she said. “The training helped me upgrade my dishes and boost my confidence. Time management is still a challenge, but I am determined to grow my business and one day own the biggest catering company in all of South Africa,” Mokoenasaid.
She encouraged other entrepreneurs not to skip formal training, saying it was an essential part of professional growth.
Lerato Ndlovu from Edendale, joined the workshop to nurture her passion for cooking and to lay the groundwork for a career in the culinary and event planning industry.
She shared how she discovered new cooking and baking techniques during the training, including the value of low-heat cooking for richer flavours.
“It’s been eye-opening,” she said.
“Working in a fast-paced kitchen taught me precision, food safety and how to troubleshoot on the spot. I now plan to start small by selling cakes and gradually build a full catering business. I also want to use social media to promote my work and share what I have learned with others.”
She noted that access to start-up capital, mentorship, and a supportive network would help accelerate her progress.
Also in attendance was Noluthando Minenhle Khambule from KwaShange, who began baking in November last year after taking a basic class with Injabulo Food Works.
She joined the Zenzele training to improve her skills and find new strategies to grow her business.
“I learned how important marketing is, and the idea of creating a ‘secret recipe’ to attract customers stood out to me,” she said.
Like many entrepreneurs, Khambule is navigating challenges around pricing and customer expectations.
“I make sure to educate my clients about pricing and try to stay affordable without compromising quality,” she said.
Khambule’s vision is to own a shop and catering business while creating more business opportunities to uplift others in her community.
