COMPASSIONATE community pillar Nondumiso Mpitimpiti achieved her dream of opening her own bakery in Amalinda Forest last Friday.
With the help of Clover and Siyabonga Africa, Mpitimpiti and nine other community members, underwent a two-week training course, learning the skills to assist in a bakery.
The new Step Ahead Bakery promises to provide the community with reasonably priced bread and other baked goods including vetkoek, biscuits, mosbolletjies, scones, muffins, cream buns and rolls – and also caters for functions. The bakery has employed three of the trained bakers, while the others have acquired a qualification which opens doors for them.
At the launch on Friday, Mpitimpiti said the opening was a dream come true for her. In May, she was acknowledged as East London’s first Clover Mama Afrika, following her impressive community work of opening an Early Childhood Development centre and foster care home in her area.
Clover Mama Afrika founder, Prof Elain Vlok, said: “She was chosen because she wanted to be empowered and make a difference in her community. The programme is aimed at empowering community caregivers like Nondumiso with viable skills which they can then pass on to others so that they too can earn a sustainable income for themselves, their families and their communities.
“Mama Nondumiso is driven and understands the needs of her community. “The people living here already support her and respect her because of her good work. I know she will go places because of her commitment,” Vlok said.
Mpitimpiti, who achieved 96% for her baking course, was thankful to Siyabonga Africa’s Francois Strydom, who led the course. “He really knows his story and I learn fast. I look forward to selling reasonably-priced fresh bread that is cheaper than the other places close by,” she said.
“I am thankful to God for this. It shows that the more you give, the more you get. If you open your heart to others, God will open doors for you,” said Mpitimpiti said.
Contact Nondumiso on 072-204-1357 for orders, or visit Step Ahead Bakery at 54120 Nkomazi Place, Amalinda Forest.
