Start-up

philosophy of believing in his business, doing a good job in the community and providing a winning, trusted product and service was behind Heremia Mthombeni, the business owner of Kwa Jerry Fast Food, winning the Township Entrepreneurship Awards 2017 start-up category.

“I saw an opportunity and decided to enter and give the Township Entrepreneurship Awards [TEA] a try,” says Mthombeni. “My organisation stood enough to be chosen as a winner because TEA is a township-orientated competition and our business is in the township.

“We give good service to our community selling kasi food and believe we met the requirements TEA were looking for.”

Kasi food is purchased from street vendors, some of which solely survive on the money they make doing this, raising and educating their families from the money earned selling it on the streets. Pretty much every South African knows mielies cooked in drums on the side of the road, but there is so much more choice available including meat, dairy, starches and vegetables in a plethora of recipes.

Mthombeni has taken producing kasi food to the next level, overcoming concerns about hygiene and making what is simple but tasty food in a controlled environment. “I choose to start my own business because of my great energy and ability to give it all my best and I wanted to use it to build my own empire,” he explains. “I saw a gap in my community in that a fast food restaurant was not enough so I started the business in my sector.

“I am a risk taker, hard working, creative and I respect my customers. My business is my first priority and very important to me, hence I keep it clean and I am always on time.

“If you want to be successful in business you must first understand the power of money and you must be financially educated. Then you will be able to use money in a constructive way. You must first know what you want, work very hard to achieve it and don’t be afraid to take risks.”

This 25-year-old has big dreams and is planning to buy out his landlord in order to expand the business, explaining that while Kwa Jerry is still renting, they are hindered by certain restrictions such as playing loud music.

“We are planning to grow our business to be a franchise because the big market is waiting for us and we have a greater opportunity as the type of business we are doing is rare. We are really grateful to the sponsors of the Township Entrepreneurship Awards for the wonderful opportunity and for believing in us. Without you our dreams would not be implemented.”

“Food for the body is not enough. You need food for the soul and at Kwa Jerry’s that’s where you’ll get it, because there is no more sincere love than the love for food.” — Rebecca Haynes