From Spaza Shop to 3 Locations: How Thandi Did It in 3 Years

Thandi Khumalo didn't have a business degree. She had a small spaza shop in Khayelitsha, R15,000 in savings, and a recipe for umleqwa that her customers wouldn't stop talking about.

Three years later, she runs three takeaway locations, employs 11 people — all from her community — and processed over 200 orders last Saturday alone.

"I Didn't Know NYDA Existed"

Thandi's breakthrough came through a Mzansipreneurs WhatsApp post about NYDA grants. "I thought government money was for big companies with fancy offices. I didn't think it was for someone like me."

She applied for an NYDA grant of R25,000. The process took six weeks and three in-person visits. "They kept asking for more documents, but I just kept going back. I refused to give up."

Location 2: The Scary Step

After 14 months, Thandi had saved enough to put down a deposit on a second location. "Everyone told me I was moving too fast. But I had learned the systems by then."

What She Knows Now

• Keep your books from Day 1. Even just a notebook.
• Your staff are your business. Pay them fairly, treat them with respect.
• Apply for funding before you need it. The best time is when you're stable.
• Community is a competitive advantage. Her customers trust her because she's from Khayelitsha.