- Challenges in Starting a Small Business: Without initial funding or capital, Mrs. Kibirige relied on her small income and faced bureaucratic delays of two years to secure a trading stand from the municipality.
- Mrs. Kibirige’s Entrepreneurial Initiative: Mrs. Kibirige established Kalule Kitchen and Shisa Nyama in Bizana after gaining experience in local food outlets, choosing self-employment to support her family amid economic challenges.
- Municipal Support for Local Traders: The Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Local Municipality facilitates small businesses by providing stalls with permits for R380 annually, marking an official entry into entrepreneurship for traders like Mrs. Kibirige.
In a country battling high unemployment and inequality, Mrs. Kibirige decided to take her future into her own hands. From her home in Highland View, Ward 1, under the Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Local Municipality, she opened Kalule Kitchen and Shisa Nyama in the heart of Bizana’s busy taxi rank.
Like many women, Mrs. Kibirige’s journey began out of necessity. She started out as an employee at local food outlets, gaining skills and experience. But the desire to provide for her family and escape poverty pushed her to become self-employed.
Starting her own business was far from easy. With no funding or capital, she relied on her small income to build Kalule Kitchen. She also faced long delays before securing a formal trading space.
“I had to apply to the municipality for a stand, and the process took two years before I was finally approved and allocated my own stall,” she recalls.
The Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Local Municipality provides stalls with room numbers and licenses. Traders pay R380 annually to keep their permits active. For Mrs. Kibirige, this was the official start of her entrepreneurial journey.
Running a small food business at a taxi rank comes with daily hurdles. Competition from other restaurants is fierce, and basic services are unreliable. “Sometimes we run out of water and have to close or hire people to fetch water. During load shedding, we rely on gas stoves,” she explains.
Despite these obstacles, Kalule Kitchen has become a symbol of determination. Her stall does more than feed commuters and locals, it represents resilience, especially in rural towns where small businesses play a vital role in supporting families and contributing to South Africa’s economy.
