POLOKWANE – Most township fast food outlets sell bunny chows, Dagwood sandwiches and fish and chips, but pizza is seen as a modern treat you will not usually find in a black township.
However, Seshego-based Israel Maake and Lesiba Maila want to change the narrative and in January they started Pitsa Tsa Kasi in Seshego Zone 2.
The duo, who have been friends since primary school, shared they started the business as they thought “why not become our bosses?”.
They have been in business for four months and have been met with criticism, motivation and suggestions that come with starting a new business. “As with any business that brings something new to the local market, we faced scepticism from consumers up until they tasted our pizzas. Almost all of them are now loyal customers,” they added.
According to them, inspiration to start the pizza venture came when they watched an entrepreneurial show. The show prompted them to look at business ideas that are unique and have never been successfully executed in their area.
“We explored some business ideas and decided on a Kasi-made pizza business, because we didn’t want to duplicate anything that had already been done,” they said.
The friends shared they have a variety of pizza flavours their customers can choose from. “The most unique feature of our business is the menu, which includes a chakalaka and boerewors topped pizza, as well as a Russian sausage pizza. These pizza flavours are unique to our business.“
The 26-year-old entrepreneurs hope to one day own multiple franchises in other townships and create employment opportunities for the youth in their townships. The focus at the moment, however, is to create a name for themselves on social media and to normalise pizza as a fast food option in the kasi.
“We currently have no employees as we have only been in business for four months. However, as long as we continue to meet our business objectives, we will start to hire employees soon as we plan to decrease the number of unemployed youth in our community.”
The duo shared some sound advice for those who have a desire to start a business. “Whatever idea you have, just start. There is no perfectionism in entrepreneurship and investors are scarce in South Africa, but just start.”
To order from Pitsa Tsa Kasi, send them a WhatsApp message on 076 874 0361 or 066 277 4458. They deliver at no extra cost to those in a 3km radius from the Seshego Circle Centre, and delivery is available to other Seshego areas and Polokwane at an extra fee.
Visit them on Facebook (Pitsa Tsa Kasi), Twitter (@Pitsa_tsa_kasi) or Instagram (@pitsatsakasi1) for more information.
