Many South Africans were hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic with some losing their jobs and subsequent lockdown regulations which banished them into their houses.
Lungiswa Bonda (54), from 20 Section in Mandela Park, Khayelitsha, was no different.
She also lost a job in one of South Africa’s top hotels.
Instead of sitting down and mourning about the loss, Bonda, started looking at ways to make a living for her family.
The mother of three started selling booze illegally, while also specialising in cooking different kind of foods, thanks to her experience of working in the hotel.
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She now sells braai meat, platters, pizza, gatsby and cooked meals to make ends meet.
“I have always had a passion for food but when I worked at a hotel I started out by washing dishes. As time went on, I became closer to the chef and he would ask me to cook vegetables,” she said.
“It all started there, and when the management saw I loved cooking they sent me to do a waitress course. Slowly but surely I got to be close but after working nine years the hotel changed management and we lost our jobs,” said Bonda.
After finding some part-time work Bonda decided to do her own thing and be her own boss. LavaysGood Food was born!
“One of my sons, James, working by my side we decided to take this on and move with it. Today, we are known for our mouth-watering burgers called ‘house arrest’ or ‘lockdown’,” she said laughing.
Bonda also conducts home deliveries.
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The business was recently supplied with a pizza oven thanks to the involvement of Distell.
Lavay’s is one of six outlets in Khayelitsha to make the journey from being illegal liquor outlets to fully registered businesses thanks to the programme led by Supply Pal, development partner of beverage company Distell.
Andre Titus, Director at Supply Pal, said this is just one of the success stories of a ground breaking initiative by Distell which is converting unlicensed liquor outlets into new, sustainable businesses in support of township development.
“Today it’s been a fantastic day for us because we have handed over five businesses that has been completed. We gave these businesses various infrastructure components, for example in this outlet we gave pizza oven,” he said.
Titus said the project also supported them with coaching, mentoring them on business process.
They will also support them with licensing they may require.
He said they want to make these businesses support the community they are serving as well.