From domestic worker to nifty baker, Nothando Nyathi followed her passion and is turning it into a business she has always dreamed of.
Soweto, South Africa (07 June 2021) – Nothando Nyathi, 37-years-old living in Thulani Doornkop, Soweto, has found a love for baking which she is turning into a business.
It started in May of 2012 when Nothando wanted to surprise her then 4-year-old with a Spiderman cake. She has seen the cake for sale on Facebook and reached out for a price. She was bowled over by the price and had to decline sadly. With her salary as a domestic worker, she just wasn’t able to splurge on the cake. Nothando said that moment broke her heart.
“From there l promised myself, l will definitely learn how to bake since l liked baking at an early age where l grew up in Rural area in Zimbabwe with my step-grandmother MaNyakavula. We would bake bread with charcoal since we didn’t have an oven. I was so lucky to have my cousin Telmore who taught me how to mould animals from mud as we were playing as kids.
As the baking passion was still burning inside me one day my friend Lorato Leslie Masina that l met on Facebook called me and told me to go to the Funda Center in Soweto as they offer lessons. l went there and they offered a 3-day course. l did it but it wasn’t certified. l proceeded to Orange Farm to a lady named Nonhlanhla Mthimkhulu and there l learnt a lot and it was a hands-on course as l did everything by myself under her supervision and instructions. l was so happy and satisfied as she was the Cake Boss. She organised me baking pans and directed me where to buy decorating tools.”
With some practice behind her, she started following other bakers and spent hours reading about cakes. One of her favourite bakers from Pretoria, Jeanette De Villiers, started hosting cake classes. Nothando had been saving and decided to use her money to invest in a 5-day wedding cake course.
This course opened the doors for Nothando. She began working harder than ever, taking as many courses as possible, from moulding flowers to drip cakes and making macaroons. Then, when she couldn’t pay for certified classes, Nothando turned to YouTube to fill in the gaps.
“I never looked back until today with the help of my sweet caring husband whom I have taught how to bake. Although he has his own Detergent Making Business that he is running.”
We asked Nothando what her dream is, and she said she hopes to grow her novelty cake business so she can have a dedicated premises where she too can offer lessons. She loves doing fondant moulding, so she hopes to share that with others.
Her favourite part of her business is being able to stretch her creativity and is even finding a new love for iced cookies. She has been able to reach a greater audience thanks to a new friend, Angélique, who has taken on the task of helping Nothando with marketing. Nothando is so grateful for all the support she has received to date.
“Baking makes me happy and I share in all the joys and celebrations in people’s lives… all the joys of being together in small groups to eat my delicious cakes.
I would like to thank Angélique and Nathalie Alexander for supporting my business. Angélique has assisted me with the Marketing of my business and has been so supportive to my family.
I wish that everyone who reads this may spread the news of my Baking Business so that people will order their celebration cakes and biscuits from me. I offer personalised cakes and biscuits for all occasions at reasonable prices.”
You can support Nothando via her Instagram or Facebook pages. Please take a look at some of her cakes below.
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