By: Zethu Gweva
After struggling to find a job as an Accountant, Babalwa Rilana, 39, decided to sell fast food because of the high unemployment rate in the Eastern Cape.
The Mdantsane born and bred mother of three obtained her Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) in Accounting Degree at the University of Johannesburg. After nine years of being unemployed, she established Babalwa’s Kitchen business in August 2019 where she sells fast food.
“After spending time being unemployed for so many years, I had to do some self-introspection to discover what I enjoyed doing the most. It then occurred to me that I loved cooking, therefore, I decided to start a fast food business and sold Kota’s,” said Rilana.
With the R500 she received from her brother who does not want to be named, she went and bought a few ingredients to start her business. She added that her brother supported her idea and wanted to see it prosper.
Rilana’s brother expressed how they supported her and the business. He said the family has supported her both financially and emotionally and have seen that there’s potential for growth.
“We have given her words of encouragement for her to not give up and her business has grown a little. Her clientele is increasing as she is gaining recognition,” he said.
Babalwa’s Kitchen offers services for birthday parties, weddings, year-end functions and intends to assist families in funerals and traditional ceremonies. She added that her kitchen operates from Monday to Saturday.
When asked by BCM News where she got her menu, she said from her customers. They tell her what they want and she cooks it for them and the community has been responding well to her food.
“I cook different kinds of food every day as I am encouraged by my customers. I did not google recipes for the menu, instead, customers come and suggest to me what they would like to eat on the day and I make it,” said Rilana.
One of her customers Thobela Dayizana said he came across Rilana’s fast food business on social media and was impressed with the presentation, wanting to taste the food, since then he has been her loyal customer and she serves her food with a smile.
“She is a very welcoming lady that loves what she does and makes sure that her customers are satisfied with her service,” said Dayizana.
The challenge that Rilana is currently facing is the lack of transport and space. She said she doesn’t want to serve people that are only from Mdantsane but due to transport, she has no choice and she works from her own kitchen and there’s not enough space.
‘’I would like the government or anyone to assist me with a mobile kitchen so that I can reach people from Westbank, King Williams Town, and many others,’’ she said.