By Selloane Ntshonyane
- Isaac Chirindza started Chef Zakes in Vosloorus with R600 after losing his job in 2020, selling cow heels from a bucket in the street.
- He quit his own business once, took another job to provide for his daughter, then left on his third payday to return and make it work.
Isaac Chirindza knew what it looked like when a parent built something from nothing. His mother raised him alone, running a salon, and he said he got everything he needed growing up. That memory is what pulled him back when he was ready to give up on his own business.
But giving up came first.
Chirindza started Chef Zakes in Vosloorus in 2020 after he was retrenched from his job as a marketing director and mixologist for an alcohol company. His daughter was four months old. He had R600 left. He bought cow heels, burned and cleaned them at home, and carried them through the streets in a bucket.
He sold seven plates a day at R60 each, each plate served with four free salads.
The business did not grow fast enough. With a young daughter to support, he left and took another job.
“I needed to pay rent and take care of my daughter, so I had to make a plan,” he said.
He collected three pay cheques. Then he walked away from the salary and went back to the business.
“I lived with guilt that I should have stayed and worked for a company and got my salary,” he said.
“But I told myself I ain’t giving up this time.”
He did not pay himself for nearly a year, putting everything back into the business. On a slow day now, he sells at least 30 plates. On a good day, more than 40.
His customers are workers, people from nearby hospitals, police stations, clinics and mechanics’ shops. He is thinking about raising prices as food costs climb, but says he will give notice before he does.
His daughter’s school fees, transport and daily needs all come from Chef Zakes now.
“Everything depends on this business,” he said.
Pictured above: Isaac Chirindza, founder of Chef Zakes in Vosloorus.
Image source: Supplied
