By Buziwe Nocuze
Lungisa Valeni, tired of waiting for government job opportunities, started baking pot bread (umbhako) to make a living.
The entrepreneur from Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, ventured into business.
“I realised if I wait for job opportunities, I will never succeed in life,” said Valeni.
Prior to baking pot bread as of 2022, he had already started selling food in Cape Town.
But his initial food business faced challenges and Valeni decided to return to the Eastern Cape. It turned out to be a successful move.
Valeni’s entrepreneurial journey took an unconventional turn when he decided to cook at funerals.
Despite facing jokes and discouragement from the people around him, he stuck to his guns.
“When I started baking pot bread, there were people discouraging me. I explained to them that everyone likes pot bread, but not everyone knows how to make it. The same applies to what I am doing now. I am not ashamed of cooking at funerals,” he said.
Known for his delicious food and soft pot bread that doesn’t require margarine, Valeni expanded his business to cater not only at funerals but also at weddings and parties.
He charges R70 for a pot of bread, while the cost of cooking at funerals or other events depends on the number of people he caters for.
“Sometimes, I make salads during the night and take care of other preparations and I end up staying the entire night. I often get up at 4 am,” he said.
Valeni’s job varies based on his customers’ requirements.
While some clients provide the necessary groceries, he often buys everything himself and starts cooking.
“People have a lot to say about what I am doing, especially cooking at funerals, but I want them to know that they are missing out on a lot of things while they spend their time judging other people’s hustle,” said Valeni.
“I love my job, and I am willing to travel to other places if people want me there.”
Gqeberha resident Mzimasi Notshizela praised Valeni for his courage.
“I am unemployed but I would never do what he’s doing,” said Notshizela.
“I am afraid of what people might say especially when it comes to cooking and staying overnight at someone else’s home during a funeral.”
Resident Yonela Lukhele said she couldn’t believe that people tried to discourage Valeni.
“While they are busy judging him, he is busy making a future for himself. There is nothing wrong with men venturing into cooking whether it’s at a funeral or any other occasion,” said Lukhele.
Pictured above: Lungisa Valeni, also lovingly known as Bae Wombhako
Image source: Supplied
