Annie Kafuny, resident and business owner from Goodwood, makes it her mission to make people smile through delicious, well-executed bakes.
Kafuny talks about how she seized the moment to enter the Makers Landing mentorship programme, how she made her dream come true and through heartbreak and disappointment started her own business.
Kafuny, who recently graduated from the V&A Waterfront Makers Landing mentorship, said: “I never really had the opportunity to graduate school when I was younger, but now I have a way of caring for my family and bringing food to the table.”
This entrepreneur, said she felt a great rush of mixed emotions when she graduated.
“I felt a kind of relief, like a heavy burden has been lifted off my shoulders. I was thrilled and excited for the new things coming my way. I actually wanted to scream, just to get all those emotions out.
“To graduate was a big thing for me, it was my turning point.”
According to Kafuny, being an entrepreneur is more than just being your own boss. It is being the person you want to be, showcasing what you can do and what you can give. It is giving the world an idea of what you have in store and bringing that idea to life.
Her business grew from her daughter’s heartbreak.
She ordered a cake for her daughter six years ago on her 8th birthday.
Unfortunately the cake was 45 minutes late and in a stinky box. She ended up not taking a cake to school.
“She was very sad because I did not show up as I had promised to bring her a cake before break time.”
The determination kicked in there and then, to never disappoint her daughter.
“My Congolese desserts are what brings my business to life. I believe that it showcases the real me, as in who I am”.
“My competitors stand little chance when it comes to my pastries and desserts.
“People want to try something new and this is how I am able to profit from my rich heritage.
“I heard of Makers Landing through my former boss Hennery Vessel and from there applied for the programme.“
Kafuny’s perspective of the Makers Landing food project is that it is a place where people can connect through South African food.
In 2020 the V&A Waterfront, in partnership with the National Treasury’s Jobs Fund, announced the development of Makers Landing as a purpose-driven space that will support job creation and skills development in the local food industry.
Now completed and operational, the space is built around a community with food as a passion point and cultural connector, where authentic South African food and its diversity is shared and celebrated.
Makers Landing represents a R63-million partnership, with R48 million coming from the V&A Waterfront and a further R15 million from the National Treasury’s Jobs Fund.
Since opening its doors in December 2020, Makers Landing has developed into a thriving food community.
Central to the Makers Landing food philosophy is the Food Lab Incubator programme that mentors’ small businesses to the next level.
The third cohort of six individuals to have entered the five-month mentorship programme graduated last month (24 June), bringing the total number to 20 food entrepreneurs that have signed up.
By the time they graduated, Kafuny refined her menu and costing and she included a heritage series of beautiful Congolese desserts, inspired by her roots.
