• Nandipha Lupuwano sells porridge for R10 and amahewu for between R15 and R25 at a Cape Town taxi rank to support her family.
• The mother of three started the small business because her R370 child support grant for one child was not enough to buy food.
Nandipha Lupuwano wakes up before sunrise every day to cook porridge for her customers.
The Cape Town mother of three sells porridge and amahewu at a taxi rank to make extra money for her family.
Lupuwano said she started the small business because the child support grant she receives is not enough to survive.
“I am a mother of three kids and I am getting a child support grant for only one child. That’s why I decided to sell amahewu and porridge to get an extra income,” said Lupuwano.
She receives R370 from the government for one child. She adds the money she earns from selling food so she can buy groceries for her family.
Lupuwano said it was very difficult to depend only on the grant while food prices keep going up.
“It was very difficult depending on my R370 and for one child grant, and the food prices that keep increasing are not making things easier for people like me,” she said.
“Hence I decided to try something for an extra income. I couldn’t ask people for handouts because I know that everyone is struggling.”
She arrives at the taxi rank around 07:30 each morning. Before that she wakes up at 05:30 to prepare the porridge at home.
Her main customers are taxi drivers who start work very early and often do not have time to eat breakfast at home.
“I know that there are people who left their homes very early in the morning. Some don’t even have time to eat porridge, especially taxi drivers. They are my main supporters and I am grateful to them for buying from me,” she said.
She sells a bowl of porridge for R10. Amahewu costs between R15 and R25.
After the busy morning hours at the taxi rank, Lupuwano sometimes goes to the mall to continue selling, especially on hot days when more people buy amahewu.
She said the small business has helped her reduce stress because she can now buy enough food for the month.
“There’s nothing more stressful than not having food, especially if you have children. As their mother you need to make a plan for them,” said Lupuwano.
“Ever since I started selling at the taxi rank and mall I have less stress because I know that at least we have food. We won’t go to bed hungry.”
Image Caption: Nandipha Lupuwano sells amahewu and porridge at a taxi rank in Cape Town.
Pictured above and image source: Buziwe Nocuze
