Youth given a chance to bake

Dilibe General Management and Services, founded by Enoch Dladla, awarded certificates to three youngsters after they completed the course.

Dladla, who holds a number of qualifications in food and beverage and culinary arts, saw an opportunity to give unemployed community members a chance to gain a skill that they can use to generate an income.

Dladla is currently making use of a baking oven at the Tsakane Old Age Home, which he says was sitting unused at the home for over 18 years, gathering dust.

“I’ve always known that there is equipment at the old age home which can be used to better the lives of our community members,” he says.

He explains that his passion for teaching and wanting the youth to develop themselves has always been there, and that the increasing unemployment rate and substance abuse in the community pushed him to approach the home’s centre manager to make use of the equipment.

Winnie Vilakazi, one of Dladla’s students, says she has learnt a lot about food and baking through the workshop and she is proud that she has a skill that she can use to start her own business.

“I have a number of qualifications, but it has been hard to get a job, but, with this certificate I can now make a number of craft breads and cakes that I can sell for money,” says the proud student.

Currently Dladla and his students are running a bakery at the old age home, making a variety of products, from bread, scones and fat cakes to Portuguese rolls and buns, which they sell to sustain their undertaking.

Dladla also encourages community members who are interested in flour confectionery to come along and be part of the programme.

“I’m willing to empower anyone who is eager to learn, so they can better themselves,” he says.

For more information, contact Dladla on 073 797 1397.