INSTEAD of sitting around at home after struggling to find a job, Sive Makana from Khayamnandi in Despatch decided to practise making beautifully decorated cakes and cupcakes and now she wants to encourage young people to use their talents to do the same.
After Makana matriculated in 2013, her father who was the sole provider died and her sister, Bongiwe Makana was left to take care of the family. In a bid to help lighten her sister’s load, she began searching for a job, but without any tertiary qualifications or work experience, Makana struggled to find employment.
In 2014 she completed a computer and communication course at Ubuntu Education, an NGO which offers free short courses to unemployed youth, which she hoped would open doors for her. Unfortunately, she still could not find employment and began feeling despondent about her situation.
One day while watching television, Makana was inspired by a woman who was not able to find a job despite possessing a bachelor’s degree. The unemployed woman then decided to make pizzas at home and sell them to her community to earn an income.
Makana said this woman’s story was a wake–up call for her and she felt motivated to do something similar to provide for her family.
“Instead of waiting for someone to hire me, I decided to create a living for myself. I realized that if she can do it, so can I,” said Makana.
Despite not having much experience with cooking or baking, Makana challenged herself to learn how to bake pizza and soon began finding interest in baking biscuits, lasagne, pies and muffins.
She then learned more about the art of baking and completed a four-week baking course at Al–Fidaa School of Baking, an NPO which offers free baking courses to unemployed and unskilled women.
Shortly after completing the baking course, her son, Alunamda Makana, was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder which gave her the motivation to start her own business.
“My son motivated me to start a cake business. When he is older, I want to teach him how to bake as well.
“It is my wish that we can be in the baking business together.”
With no money or equipment, Makana used her son’s social grant money to buy basic equipment and one pan to get her business off the ground.
She created the Makana Cake Castle Bakeries Facebook page, and orders for her beautifully decorated cakes and cupcakes began increasing rapidly.
Since establishing her business, Makana has baked cakes for various occasions which included birthdays, baby showers, sweet sixteen, 21st birthdays, wedding anniversaries and graduations for people throughout Nelson Mandela Bay.
Unfortunately, owing to lack of space at her informal settlement and insufficient baking equipment, Makana is limited to baking only certain types of cakes.
“I will not let my situation stop me from doing what I love. I am very creative, and I believe I can do more by the grace of God,” said Makana.
She believes in dreaming big and hopes to put her experience to use by working with big companies.
Makana said young people should not wait around until they are able to find a job. Instead they should use their talents to start a business.
“God gave us all talents to survive so instead of complaining about struggling to find a job, rather use the little money that you have to start a small business,” said Makana.
- For more information contact Sive Makana on 074 809 7565 or 083 872 0258 or visit the Makana Cake Castle Bakeries Facebook page.
