In April, she was retrenched and her only concern was keeping the wolf from the door. “When I heard I was going to be retrenched, I was gripped with fear of survival,” Nokwanda says.
“I kept thinking, ‘Ngizophila ngani?’ (What will I survive on?). How will I make ends meet and how will I afford day-to-day needs?’”
South Africa’s economy had taken a pounding because of the pandemic and she worried finding a job during these uncertain times would be tough.
Nokwanda, who last year completed her BTech in consumer science from the Durban University of Technology (DUT), had always loved cooking so she turned to her background in food.
“I knew a lot of people were doing catering and I wanted to sort of touch on it, but on a different scale.
“I wanted to bring the whole dining and restaurant feel into your own home, like stay home and cook,” she says.
At the time, the country’s strict lockdown prevented people from grabbing takeaways and dining out.
Her vision was to start a food business allowing clients a taste of restaurant-quality food.
When she told her partner, Sibusiso Mkwanazi (26), about her idea, he threw his weight behind her.
“You can have a business idea and not know where to start in terms of implementing and even marketing it, but my boyfriend was helpful and supportive in helping me start up my business.”
Denne historien er fra 2 July 2020-utgaven av Drum English.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra 2 July 2020-utgaven av Drum English.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Homegrown Heroes
Drum speaks to two volunteers in the Covid-19 vaccine trial and the professor heading the team in Africa
The Big Clean Up
Whenever a Covid-19 case is confirmed at a shop, they call in the deep-cleaners. We find out exactly how they disinfect stores and supermarkets
I'm Back & Better!
Babes Wodumo shares what she’s been up to in lockdown – and there’s some new music on the horizon
Not An Easy Ride
Taxi commuters and industry players tell DRUM what’s driving them to defy lockdown rules
Mam' Mary Bows Out
Iconic actress Mary Twala is fondly remembered by friends and family for her humour and talent
‘They Lived For Each Other'
This Cape Town teen’s parents died from Covid-19 on the same day. Now she’s alone and battling the virus too
Stranger Than Fiction
For actor Mangaliso Ngema and his daughter Khosi Ngema, her role in Blood & Water was like watching their family’s real-life story unfold
I Was Raped By A Pastor
His accusations against a well-known man of the cloth turned an Eastern Cape man’s life into turmoil but now more victims have spoken out
My Fight With Life And Death
More Covid-19 patients, too few beds and staff, constant sanitising and personal fears – a Western Cape doctor shares her experience
I AM ENOUGH
Ten years after being set alight, Thembi Maphanga is living life to the fullest