“I grew up in Khayelitsha, Site B, in a home that was always full of family. My parents had a deep love for people, and I learned early on that family isn’t just about blood, it’s about those who shape your journey. My father, in particular, instilled in me the values of respect, resilience, and education. He always told me, “Get all the education you can, because when I’m gone, you’ll need it to stand on your own.”
When my father fell ill, everything changed. I became his caregiver, watching the strongest man I knew grow weaker by the day. His dream was for me to continue my studies, but after his passing in 2013, that wasn’t an option. I fell into a deep depression but held onto my faith, believing that God had a plan for me.
I knew I had to escape the cycle of poverty and crime that surrounded me. Every morning, I’d take a bus into town, spend hours in the library, attend church, and walk through the Company’s Garden, drawing inspiration from the people I met. I carried a notebook, filling it with ideas and timelines for my future business.
With no funding and no handouts, I had to start somewhere. My first goal? Get blenders. I borrowed them from friends and made my way to Cape Town Market, navigating taxis from Khayelitsha to Epping, then Lang taxi rank, then Observatory. The first five days were rough; I wasn’t making a profit. To cut costs, I started going to the market alone, leaving home at 4:30 AM despite the risks. My mother, the only one who believed in me, would wake up to walk me through the dark passage, while my brother and cousin slept.
Rain or shine, I kept going. I refused to stay home and do nothing. The streets became my classroom, meeting people, learning, growing in confidence. When my business finally took off, I returned to government agencies for funding. Doors that were once closed began to open. NYDA funded my first mobile trailer, SEFA got me a second one and a coffee machine, and I joined Thrioplu, a program backed by De Beers. I knew then that God was by my side [and] there was no turning back.
I started under a bridge, then moved to Company’s Garden with just three tables and no shelter. Strangers would stop and encourage me, telling me, “God will bless you one day.” In 2019, I secured a kiosk on Long Street, a major breakthrough! Finally, my business had an address, visibility, and real opportunities. But with success came challenges. On Long Street, I was approached by people trying to lure me into the drug trade. I stood firm. Fast money was never an option. I had worked too hard to compromise my integrity.
Then, in August 2023, by God’s grace, my business landed at Cape Town International Airport. That moment was the culmination of years of perseverance.
But success, to me, is about more than personal achievement… it’s about impact. I hire young women from my community, giving them the opportunities I never had. Some have been with me since 2019, growing alongside the business. Their salaries support their families, and that responsibility keeps me awake at night, pushing me to work even harder.
My journey proves that no dream is too big. It’s not about where you come from, it’s about how badly you want to rise. And for me, there is still so much more to achieve.”