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Tsenulo Moyo
It’s true when they say every big dream starts small and Patscencia Vundla (49) is living proof of that saying.
Her journey from serving tables to owning a thriving culinary business serves as a testament to her hard work, resilience and passion for food.
Growing up on a farm in Solusi, Vundla is now a proud owner of True Elegance Restaurant which has branches in Bulawayo, Beitbridge and Lupane.
“My great-grandfather inspired me to delve into the path of entrepreneurship as he used to tell us as a family that we should learn self-employment rather than opting to work for other people. When I was growing up, I grew up living with my great grandfather, we used to wake up early, polish our tomatoes and go to the market before going to school,” she said.
Vundla said she got used to working hard at a young age as she was the only girl child in a family of three boy children and most household chores fell on her as the girl child.
“My journey started in South Africa where I worked as a waitress for two years, and in a few months, I was promoted to be head waitress. I used to win the prize for best waitress every week because I have always been a hard worker,” she said.
Vundla said she then went to the United Kingdom where she opened butcheries and farmed vegetables which she sold all over England, Ireland and Scotland. She said she closed her businesses there and went on to invest in Zimbabwe.
“I started investing in Zimbabwe and got land in Lupane, where I built a restaurant and that restaurant used to win a lot of tenders for cooking for Lupane State University,” Vundla said.
Vundla then went to build branches in other areas. She said her business was generating enough money to pay over 50 staff members. She said her advice is that people should do what they love which will make them stand even in hard times
“I am so passionate about food. It makes me happy when my food makes people happy. I am planning to expand globally as a franchise and I plan to build my brand so that I can sell shares globally,” she said.
Online Reporter