- Takalani Tshivhase started his own baking company in the Sibasa area after employers refused to hire him over his disability.
- The determined baker now sells large buckets of fresh muffins and runs an organisation that helps other people find wheelchairs.
Takalani Tshivhase could not find a job. Employers did not trust him because of his speech impairment. So, the 33-year-old from the Sibasa area decided to create his own work.
Tshivhase lives with epilepsy, learning difficulties and a speech impairment. But he refused to let his health stop him from making a living.
He founded T Chibase Disability Resources, a company that bakes scones, biscuits and muffins. He learned to bake by taking classes and now runs the entire business on his own.
Before baking, he studied welding at the Grace Love Special School in Thohoyandou. When he finished, he struggled to find anyone willing to hire him.
“Growing up was not easy. People would always say nasty words to me because of how I speak,” Tshivhase said.
“But I had to learn to believe in myself, work hard and start something which will put food for me on the table,” he said.
He sells his baked goods in buckets ranging from two litres to 20 litres. Prices range from R210 to R650.
Running the business is not easy. High electricity and food prices put pressure on his profits. Tshivhase says he shops around to find the best prices for ingredients, especially sugar, which constantly goes up in price.
When he is not baking, he runs a non-profit group called Takalani Creation and Disability Vision. The group helps people get wheelchairs and skills training.
“I started the organisation because I saw how people living with disabilities are marginalised,” he said.
“I wanted to be someone who pushes them to become their best and for them to unleash their potential,” he said.
Tshivhase wants to open a full bakery one day. He hopes to hire people from poor homes so they can feed their families.
