By Agreement Mabunda
BURGERSDORP-Nkhenso Shikwambana, 28, is the founder and director of Manso Bakery. She supplies the community and surrounding villages with cakes and muffins.
She is a passionate, brave, and tenacious woman who believes in God for everything.
Her bakery, Manso, which combines the names of her son Marvin and herself, Nkhenso, was first established four years ago. But it was a difficult journey to get here. Later, after losing her job, she incorporated this company while the school was under lockdown.
Teacake R250, Birthday cake start from R450
She hails from Burgersdorp, a dusty village, and was raised in a poor household with her three brothers. However, because she was raised by a strong mother who had previously worked on farms, she has grown to be tough and strong as well.
Nkhenso is the mother of a boy, to whom the legacy of the Manso Bakery belongs.
Nkhenso began her education at Ntwanano Primary School before moving on to Timangeni Junior Primary, Burgersdorp Junior Primary, and Phangasasa Secondary School. In 2014, she earned her matriculation. She enrolled at the University of Limpopo in 2016 to pursue a BCom in Business Management, and she graduated in 2019.
Following graduation, she held temporary positions in a variety of divisions and businesses until the Covid-19 Pandemic caused her to lose her last employment.
‘’I lost my job and started following my passion for baking, and with the help of family and friends I got my first customer and that is how Manso Bakery started”, she said.
Self-taught baker Nkhenso used to primarily follow a YouTube channel to pick up a few tips from other bakers until she got it right.
She finds motivation in her everyday progress as well as in other bakers who encourage rather than discourage her, such as Emily of Blissful Bites and Nkateko of Mrs Angelic Creation.
She said, “This business unexpectedly changed my life; now that I have this business, I can take care of my family’’.
Manso Bakery serves neighbourhood residents (Locally) as a home-based bakery. Customers can contact Manso Bakery via WhatsApp and phone calls at 0788417945 or through the Manso’s Bakery on the Facebook page. strictly call or use WhatsApp for orders.
“I would advise anyone who wants to start their business to start now with the little that they have, help will find them on the way’’, she concluded
