- Buhle Ngcwabe started Ngcwabe Touch with his sister in 2025 and hopes to expand the food business to create jobs for unemployed youth.
- The Port St Johns chef sells affordable meals from R50 while working at a local accommodation establishment to support his growing business.
Buhle Ngcwabe learnt to cook by watching his mother in the kitchen. Now the Port St Johns chef wants to turn his passion for food into jobs for unemployed young people.
Buhle, from the Eastern Cape, started Ngcwabe Touch with his sister in 2025.
He has never attended a cooking school but has taught himself the skills needed to prepare meals that keep customers coming back.
“The passion for cooking developed by watching my mother prepare meals at an early age, and being involved in the kitchen made me realise that cooking was something I genuinely enjoyed,” said Buhle.
He works as a chef at an accommodation establishment in Port St Johns while running his own business.
“I didn’t go to school or receive formal training as a chef. Most of what I know today has come from my mother, practical experience, working in the kitchen, learning from others and continuously improving myself,” he said.
His business mainly operates on Saturdays, selling kotas for R50 and R60.
Customers can also buy beef stew served with roasted fried rice, creamed spinach and roasted butternut for R70.
During the week, Buhle prepares different meals for 10 customers from Monday to Friday.
He cooks before leaving for work while a friend helps with deliveries.
Running a business while holding down a job is not easy.
“One of the biggest challenges I face is balancing the business and my other responsibilities. Since I mainly operate on Saturdays, I have to make sure I use time effectively and prepare everything properly,” said Buhle.
The business is still small, and he has not employed anyone yet.
For now, his friends help whenever he needs extra hands.
“For now, I get help from my friends whenever I need an extra hand, and I am very grateful for their support because starting a business isn’t something you can always do alone.”
His friend Layola Fica helps without asking for payment because he believes Buhle will succeed.
“We grew up together, and assisting him for free does not bother me. All I want is to see him succeed, and I know that he will succeed and create job opportunities for other people,” said Layola.
Customer Angezwa Madaza started by buying kotas on Saturdays but now buys meals from Buhle every day.
“After tasting his meals, I decided to become a customer, and I use him every day, buying different meals that he prepares. That’s one of the things I like about him: he changes his meals. His food is delicious,” said Angezwa.
For Buhle, Ngcwabe Touch represents his journey from learning in his mother’s kitchen to cooking professionally and serving his community.
He hopes to grow the business and give other young people a chance to work.
Scrolla.Africa contacted the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency on 15 October 2026 to find out who qualifies for business funding and what documents applicants need.
Despite several attempts, the agency did not respond until Friday, 23 October, after Scrolla.Africa informed it that the story would be published without its comment.
The agency said food and catering businesses could qualify for funding through the Township and Rural Enterprise Programme.
The programme supports businesses in townships and rural areas. Businesses in certain priority areas, including rural towns, may also qualify if the committee approves.
The agency said developmental finance funding ranges from R50,000 to R15-million, depending on the type of support.
The Township and Rural Enterprise Programme currently offers up to R1-million. The agency is reviewing the programme, with the maximum expected to rise above R3-million.
Young business owners can also seek support through the Peo Pele Youth Fund.
The agency said the Youth Challenge Fund is being phased out, with existing applications being finalised.
Applicants must provide documents including proof of residence, a curriculum vitae, certified identity documents, bank statements and details of personal assets and debts.
They may also need a marriage certificate, business registration papers, compliance documents and business operating records.
The agency encouraged business owners to visit its website for the full requirements and application deadlines.
Buhle hopes his hard work will eventually allow him to employ young people from his community.
