BY NOSIPHO MABUZA (INTERN)
MATSAPHA – What began as a calming hobby has risen into a full-time business for Nomphumelelo Dlamini, a 29-year-old self-taught baker from Mbikwakhe, originally from Mdonjane.
With a passion for cakes and an eye for detail, Dlamini has turned her kitchen into a thriving entrepreneurial hub—proving that with dedication, creativity, and a dash of faith, it’s possible to transform a personal passion into a sustainable livelihood.
“I just wanted to learn how to get that perfect decorated cake look,” she shares. “I found baking very peaceful, almost like therapy—and the end result was always a beautiful cake.”
While she had a good grasp of baking basics, icing remained a challenge—until she sought help from Setsabile Hlanze at Ngwane. “I knew how to bake, but my problem was icing the cake, so I went to Setse for help,” she explains. That turning point marked the beginning of her transformation from hobbyist to professional.
Her first forays into baking started with scones, but she quickly discovered where her real strength lay. “I like baking cakes because I think it’s the one I bake perfectly. I know I’m good at it,” she says with confidence.
Today, Dlamini bakes about four cakes a week, catering to a loyal customer base—many of whom find her through Facebook, where she shares photos of her creations. “I used social media, and I got more customers from Facebook,” she explains, crediting the platform for helping build her clientele.
She also sells custom recipes, protecting her intellectual property as a working entrepreneur. “Some people ask for my recipes, but I can’t give them away for free while I’m running a business,” she notes.
Her recipe development process blends innovation with inspiration, drawing from YouTube tutorials, cookbooks, and her own experiments. She’s always testing new flavor combinations and refining techniques to keep things fresh and exciting.
But like many entrepreneurs, Dlamini faces challenges. A common frustration she comes across sometimes is unavailable ingredients. “My biggest issue is when I go to the shop and don’t find things like white margarine, which I use in cake baking,” she says. She also laughs about an early misstep: forgetting to add baking powder to a cake already in the oven. “I discovered it just as it was about to be ready!”
Despite setbacks, her love for baking has only deepened. Dlamini encourages others to consider baking not only as a business but as a family tradition. “They can choose a favourite recipe and make it part of their monthly celebrations,” she suggests.
For cake orders or baking inquiries, Nomphumelelo Dlamini can be reached at 7651 8391 or 7939 1160.
