Baker determined to rise again
True grit and determination defines the character of Menzi Ndlovu, who opened his first bakery in the sprawling township of Imbali last year.
After investing capital, equipment and stock as well as creating employment opportunities for local members of the community, a number of problems compelled him to close the business in the township.
Despite the odds being stacked against him, Ndlovu is determined to rise again and his vision to establish and run a low-cost bread production enterprise is still alive.
He said that a combination of factors contributed to the business not succeeding in the township.
"Firstly, the April-May floods of 2022 damaged the main water supply pipe. Although I took the matter to the head of the water department at the Msunduzi Municipalty, the water was never restored.
"The issue of load shedding was the second blow. We battled to sustain the business, as we still had not recovered financially from the losses we suffered because of the floods.
"The third and most devastating reason was that of township crime. The bakery was broken into three times in the space of one week. The first time, the matter was reported to the police, but SAPS did not even start an investigation into the robbery.
"Two weeks later, there was another break-in, and when we went to the police to report the matter, we were informed that the first incident was not even looked at because of the high number of cases that they were dealing with," Ndlovu said.
He added that he received an sms from the police informing him that the case had been closed, even though investigations had not started and no-one from SAPS had come to the crime scene to lift any fingerprints.
Furthermore, he knew that there was no chance of the second incident being investigated.
"It was clear to me that criminals were running the show and I was simply fighting a losing battle. So we decided to close the shop and send our staff home, for there was no chance to run a business in the township with the odds stacked so heavily against us," said Ndlovu.
Ndlovu said that the value of the equipment and stock stolen from the business totaled more than R300 000.
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Ndlovu is not allowing these setbacks to deter him from starting his business all over again. He is determined to find a way to re-open his bakery.
"I am now more determined than ever. All I need is to gather my strength and raise enough capital to do it afresh. I have already found land and have put down a deposit to purchase it. Once it is paid for, I will build two structures, one for the bakery and one for a home for my family," Ndlovu said.