Maslow Hotel supports farming entrepreneur

She is the founder of Gugu and Daughters Farming located near Walkerville in Gauteng who has been requested by The Maslow’s new executive chef, Jason Millar, to grow specific plants and Asian ingredients to support the hotel’s Lacuna Bistro’s new menu.

From a humble street hawuker in KwaZulu-Natal, Mlipha rose above her circumstances to pursue her dreams, She has, through hard work and commitment, grown to become a trusted supplier of quality fruit and vegetables to one of South Africa’s largest supermarket chains, a large East Rand hotel, and other companies.

She started her business in 2007 and hires unemployed people from the nearby informal settlement to tend to her vegetables and fruit which grow on various surrounding plots of land.

Although Mlipha doesn’t have any formal qualifications, she has an innate talent for growing food and an urge to get out there daily to nurture her plants.

“It was my love for the soil, and for watching things grow that got me going, and it is what keeps me going,” said Mlipha.

Gugu and Daughters Farming will be delivering an average of 200kg of fresh produce, all cut to the hotel’s requirements, to the Maslow on a weekly basis.

Millar said, “From the moment we met Gugu, we were impressed by her energy, commitment and passion for her work. Her willingness to explore growing new vegetable and fruit varieties to meet our needs is inspiring and shows her commitment to service excellence, and continually growing and diversifying her business. We are immensely proud to be part of contributing to the continued growth of Gugu’s farm.”

Mlipha has already spent considerable time with Chef Millar to understand what sort of vegetable cuts are required to ensure optimal consistency and quality, in line with his requirements.

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