POLOKWANE – Chrestina Lephalala wakes up at 03:00 every morning to give her customers the freshest baked goods.
The 25-year-old from Mankweng is a self-taught baker and sells her baked goods on the streets of Mankweng where she has earned the nickname, The Street Queen. She started her small bakery, Bless Brownie Bakery in 2021 specialising in scones and muffins, and now also makes biscuits and cakes on request.
“I have a daughter who is four years old and as a single mother, I want to make sure that she lacks nothing. She is the reason I wake up every morning at 03:00 to prepare for my hustle.”
Although baking is her main business, she also does hair, nails and make-up to supplement her income.
“I have always been business-minded, something I learned from my mother who showed me even after my father died in 2003, that a woman can be independent. She made sure that she made ends meet, and here we are today,” she said.
Lephalala lost her mother in 2016 and says she went through a dark period in this time, until the realisation came that she has to make a living for herself. “I told myself that I have to stand on my own feet and go fetch the money on the streets. From the very first day, it went smoothly and I just knew that this is my thing.”
Through her various side hustles, she makes a living, taking care of herself and her daughter.
“I pay my own bills and do not depend on a man. I survive and am happy to be able to be a good example to my daughter too.”
Visit her page on Facebook, Bless Brownie Bakery or contact her at 079 920 1956 for orders.
