Local entrepreneur’s unique home business thrives in Mzilikazi

A man from Mzilikazi suburb, Nkosana Sibanda, has successfully established a unique home-based business offering an assortment of potato chips, kotas (bunny chow), home burgers and Russian sausages has also created a play area for the children.

The community has embraced his venture and as such he is already enjoying brisk business. Operating from the comfort of his own home, Sibanda has quickly gained popularity, attracting customers from all walks of life.

Recognising the demand for food in suburbs, he decided to create his own line of potato chips and kotas. The homemade chips, burgars and kotas prepared with utmost care and attention to detail, have garnered rave reviews from those who have had the pleasure of trying them.

“As time goes on you discover gifts in terms of demand and you create something just to satisfy the demand. Basically, in locations the demand is food. People are tired that every time they need fancy food they have to go to town to buy it at fast-food outlets.

My place is within the community so no travelling costs are involved and the food is affordable. In town you also have to worry about car parking fees which is not the case here,” he said.

Sibanda said they offer quality food at affordable prices.

“Some guys like properly registered companies have issues with rent and other such expenses but as for us we are just a business that is domesticated and our expenses are low hence our prices are also low.

We are on demand. If a person comes here to buy whatever he is buying, we prepare the food while he or she waits, so our food is fresh,” he said.
Sibanda said the appeal for kotas lie in their novelty as they offer a fresh and exciting experience for individuals who have never encountered this type of food.

“People love kotas because it’s something new that they have never experienced. It’s an idea that was born in South Africa and now many people are producing them. The kota is basically a quarter of bread, veggies that entail lettuce, cucumber, Russian sausage, tomato and onion depending on what the person wants.

It becomes more delicious when we add atchar which most people enjoy,” he said.

The food definitely caters fr everyone, even those with certain diseases such as those who don’t like food with too much cooking oil. “We use the usual cooking oil and potatoes that we get on the market. There are no extras that we put. We also make sure that the chips are crispy and they don’t have too much oil.”

The fact that people from the local community and other areas are drawn to the business speaks volumes about its quality and reputation

“The business is self-marketing because we haven’t employed other marketing techniques such as Facebook, WhatsApp or any other social media platform.

“The people who eat here are our sales persons hence we are witnessing an increase in customers, some coming from very far away places after learning about our services .

“There is this guy from Entumbane who passes here almost three or four times a week just for the kota.”

These businesses operating in houses are not only contributing to the economy but are also providing employment opportunities and meeting the needs of the local community. Sibanda laments that the only thing that they seek is recognition from local authorities.

“We are not recognised in terms of laws. Unlike in South Africa, spaza shops and targets operate within the parameters of the law and contribute tax. There is no provision for us to be registered and recognised as businesses contributing to the growth of our economy. By-laws only recognise people who create business in the CBD and at shopping centres.

What they don’t realise is that many people are resorting to selling products at their houses because rentals are prohibitive especially in town. The City Council should recognise and appreciate our businesses because we are providing important services to our communities. — TashaMutsiba