Versatility, learning to be online savvy, along with a healthy dose of sheer grit and determination to keep going forward are some of the key skills and traits of entrepreneurs in townships as they tough out the COVID-19 pandemic.

As lockdown eased into level one, owner of corporate catering company and pop-up restaurant Kwa Mamazala Cafe, Gratitude Mapaila, said: “The corporate hospitality trade dropped to nil in those first few months of lockdown. I went from earning a comfortable income to zero and it’s still going to take some time to get back to anywhere near pre-COVID levels.”

Working from home in Ackerville, just outside Emalahleni in Mpumalanga, her catering is a fusion of African and western cuisine, but since coming out of lockdown she has revamped her menu to include healthy options.

“I’ve added in some healthy meals as well as protein shakes and freshly pressed juices. I have been testing new menus to adapt to the ‘new normal’. During the hard lockdown, I spent time looking at my competitors, doing research on what is expected in the industry post-COVID and revising strategies. My cuisine is very different to my competitors and I focus on bringing a modern twist to everything I do,” she said.

Everything about Mapaila is ‘can do’, apparent from the days as a street hawker in Springs in 2015. “I had children to feed, so I started as a street hawker, selling traditional food and I received a lot of positive feedback from my customers. I would prepare and cook all my food at home and would be out selling by 7am. By midday, it was all gone.

“I still dreamed of opening my restaurant, so I would read any book or magazine about restaurants which I could get my hands on.”

When her marriage failed, Mapaila wanted to rebuild her life and start a new journey. “So, I did a business course in 2014 and I launched Kwa Mamazala Cafe a year later. My first order was for 30 people and I was so nervous, but my family helped and I have never looked back since,” she said.

Living in a township, her main challenges have been transport and space at home for preparing food. “Sometimes I have to hire a taxi and make sure the food is well covered so no dust gets in. I always say I have ‘an office in the bag’ as I never know when a client may call, so I keep all necessary paperwork with me and back up documents to the cloud on my phone.

“I also use social media platforms for advertising. My goal is to open a small cafe in the town centre,” said Mapaila.

Also having to react quickly to the unexpected lockdown situation, owner of Mokome Piggery in Mpumalanga, Mokome Selepe said COVID-19 had negatively affected his business as many of his clients closed their doors for the lockdown period.

With his farm, Smallkloof based in the Volksrust area, he added: “At the same time, I still had to feed my pigs. I had to adapt and I started selling my piglets at four weeks old as compared to them growing to market weight,” said Selepe, who prides himself on producing high quality pork by using the best feeds.

“The most challenging issue is the pig feed which varies from a pregnant pig to the piglets and the necessary kilograms needed for optimal growth,” he said, highlighting he would not compromise on quality.

As an entrepreneur, Selepe decided to enter the agricultural industry in 2014 saying, “there’s no chasing of tenders, one just has to work hard to produce a product that needs to be sold.”

He grew up helping his grandmother to sell vegetables and said that stood him in good stead when it came to selling. While Selepe trained at the Baynesfield Pig Training Academy, a friend helped and mentored him.

Having a mentor is key to entrepreneurial success, agrees Thato Lekhera, who owns PEL Poultry in Martindale, outside Bloemfontein.

“I studied IT (Information Technology) at university and started working in the IT industry, but it wasn’t for me. My mentors were ladies in the chicken business and I would rock up at a chicken farm in my suit and stilettos and go into the chicken coops. I closely followed what these women were doing and listened to their advice. I really learned so much from them, especially what would or wouldn’t work,” said Lekhera.

Growing up, Lekhera said she inherited her mother’s entrepreneurial spirit. “My mother worked as a dressmaker, but she also had a side hustle and sold material. I started my chicken business on the side while I was still working in IT, until I realised there was a real demand, especially in the informal market which is huge.

“The informal sector was getting second grade chickens. I saw a niche and made sure I had first grade chickens for the market ladies, and I delivered on time. I was reliable and word soon spread,” she said.

When the COVID-19 lockdown hit, Lekhera’s clients in the formal sector closed, such as restaurants, B&B’s and schools – but she still had her informal sector clients. “I think it’s vital in business that you are always evolving.

“In January, we started the year with certain strategies and by March, I had all this stock to push. You have to be able to adapt and think on your feet. We started a combo special on our Facebook page – five fresh chickens and two trays of eggs. The orders started coming in and they just flew. We were also lucky that we were an essential service.

“Since moving into level one (lockdown), our market has expanded and I want to sell in more towns and areas outside Bloemfontein. We are looking to increase our capacity and need more chicken coops,” she said.

She added that because she was in a location, some of the challenges she faced were poor internet connection and roads that were seldom maintained, but primarily, a reliable water supply – the main commodity for her business.

Lekhera employs women and youth, helping them to develop skills so they can sustain themselves. “Having your own business makes you look at yourself; I’m a big procrastinator and so I motivate myself every morning by thinking about what I have to achieve.

“My advice to young entrepreneurs is that your vision must be clear and you really need to be prepared to work hard,” she said.