His heart’s desires become a reality

LIMPOPO – FOR informal vendor, Abednico Nkwana, life is about to become as sweet as the tasty treats he sells from his stall all thanks to Nedbank’s ‘making things that really matter happen’ campaign.

The snack hawker is one of the lucky campaign winners who wrote in, expressing his heart’s desires to make a dream come true. And his dream of starting his own catering company is about to become a reality.

“This is crazy,” he says with a chuckle, “I still can’t believe this is true!”

Going from street hawker to winning R95 000 worth of equipment for your start-up business can certainly feel surreal for anyone. And this 26-year-old from Moroke in Burgersfort is justified in pinching himself to see if he’s awake or still dreaming.

Nkwana has his never-say-die positive outlook to credit, which has seen him smile through adversities and not give up the dream. For him, selling snacks to children and witnessing bright smiles on little faces when they snack on his morsels make him a happy man.

“I love working among the children, and the happiness I see on their faces is the happiness I want to see on my future clients when they are satisfied with the work I would have delivered to them,” says Nkwana, who wants his catering business to be the all-round go-to company when it comes to events, providing everything from décor to food and styling.

Entrepreneurship is a shared passion between him and his older sister Matlale, with whom he stands shoulder to shoulder on the grounds of the primary school where they sell their fare.

“She is actually the one who makes the snacks we sell. She is a very good cook and has taught me a lot about food and business. She really is my inspiration,” he says.

That is why the catering company is going to be a family business for the Nkwana siblings. The two, who live with their pensioner mother, have been “hustling” since Nkwana completed matric years ago, but could not afford to further his studies due to the family’s severe financial constraints.

With just their elderly mother’s pension to rely on, they had to find a way to supplement the family’s income. Their survival instinct and entrepreneurial acumen have seen them bring home at least R1 800 on a good month since they started selling sweets and snacks at the primary school.

“Life is tough because even with our mother’s pension, it’s not enough money to see us through the month. But we have survived and found ways to make do,” says Nkwana. “This amazing gift from Nedbank is just the thing we have been dreaming of for years. Being gifted with R95 000 worth of catering equipment in order to start our business is a blessing. I’m still excited and overwhelmed just thinking about it and how it’s going to change our lives.”

Nkwana is determined not to waste this windfall.

“I want to see this business grow. If we start with one marquee and 40 chairs, in three years we should have tripled that. It’s how we are going to be able to give back by hiring other locals and helping to develop our community. If Nedbank could do this for me and my family, we can do our bit by helping to empower others too.”

The competiton is open to new and existing Nedbank Ke Yona savvy and cheque account clients who stand a chance to win their share of R4 million in dreams over four months. To qualify, account holders need to share their ultimate dream by dialing *120*762# and ensure their account is active.

For more information about the Nedbank Cup and the things that really matter happen campaign, visit www.nedbankcup.co.za.