By Buziwe Nocuze
- Xoliswa Dyantyi sells large banana loaves for R50 each on weekends to support her family after her salary could not cover rent, food and other costs.
- She supports her children and relatives while paying rent, groceries, transport, insurance and stokvel contributions that quickly use up her monthly income.
Xoliswa Dyantyi works as a domestic worker during the week, but her salary was not enough to cover her needs.
She supports her children and her brothers’ children. She said the money she earns runs out before she can pay for everything.
Dyantyi decided to start a side business selling banana loaves. She takes orders during the week and bakes on weekends.
“I am the breadwinner taking care of my kids and my brothers’ kids. My salary runs out before I can cover everything,” she said.
She sells each banana loaf for R50. She said her loaves are bigger than the ones sold in supermarkets.
Her monthly costs include R1,600 for rent, R1,500 for groceries, R300 for transport, R388 for insurance and R2,000 for a stokvel.
She said the stokvel helps her fix her home.
“I decided to have a stokvel because it helps me a lot. I am fixing my home and the only thing that can assist me is the stokvel,” she said.
Dyantyi said the side hustle has made a big difference in her life. Before starting it, she struggled to sleep because she worried about money.
“Before starting this business I had sleepless nights because I would ask myself how I am going to get money to cover all my bills,” she said.
She thanked her employer for teaching her how to bake.
She now bakes every weekend and delivers orders to customers.
To save money, Dyantyi has changed her lifestyle. She buys groceries in bulk and avoids spending on eating out.
“I have stopped going out with my friends because the R300 I spent on one meal can buy chicken that lasts us a month,” she said.
Her family eats red meat only once a month. She also makes bread at home instead of buying it.
She said even with a side hustle, budgeting is still important because prices keep rising.
Dyantyi said she is grateful to everyone who supports her business.
Pictured above: Xoliswa Dyantyi at her home bakery
Image source: Xoliswa Dyantyi
