Nyameka Magwebu
| Business Location: | Township |
| Province | Eastern Cape |
| Branch: | Nelson Mandela Bay |
| Business Start Date: | |
| Busniess Type: | Not Registered |
Business Dynamics and Challenges
Business Activities:
Home Cooked Meals
Challenges/Needs:
As Nyamza’s Cooking continued to grow, so did the demand for her products. However, Nyameka faced significant challenges in keeping up with the increasing number of customers. One of the biggest issues was the lack of proper equipment. The demand for her food was so high that her existing tools and appliances were not sufficient to handle the volume.
Additionally, customers often had to stand in long queues to be served, which resulted in a loss of sales. Nyameka estimated that she was losing at least 5-10 customers every day due to the delays. Another problem was the lack of proper signage for her business. Relying solely on word-of-mouth to attract new clients was limiting her visibility and growth.
Intervention Insights and Results
Intervention Details:
Recognizing the need for support, Nyameka sought assistance from Sedfa, which helped her apply for the IMEDP grant to acquire essential equipment. With the IMEDP application beig succesful, she received a potato peeler, two large pots, a cooler box, and a 3-plate gas stove. These upgrades were crucial in improving both her efficiency and the quality of service.
The new equipment allowed Nyameka to prepare larger quantities of food quickly while maintaining the high standards of quality her customers had come to expect. The cooler box enabled her to store perishable items more effectively, preventing spoilage and reducing waste.
The new equipment allowed Nyameka to prepare larger quantities of food quickly while maintaining the high standards of quality her customers had come to expect. The cooler box enabled her to store perishable items more effectively, preventing spoilage and reducing waste.
Outcome Details:
The impact of the IMEDP grant was immediate and substantial. Nyamza’s Cooking saw a remarkable 105% increase in turnover, with revenue growing from R3,890.00 to R7,580.00. With the new equipment, Nyameka was able to serve her customers more efficiently, reducing the wait times and handling a higher volume of orders. The increase in capacity also allowed her to expand her menu, offering a wider variety of dishes, which further boosted customer satisfaction and attracted new clients.
As demand for her food continues to rise, Nyameka is considering hiring additional staff to keep up with the growing business. She is also exploring the possibility of purchasing a container to operate from, providing her with more space and flexibility to serve her customers.
As demand for her food continues to rise, Nyameka is considering hiring additional staff to keep up with the growing business. She is also exploring the possibility of purchasing a container to operate from, providing her with more space and flexibility to serve her customers.
Client Feedback
Client Comments:
The owner had the following to say: “I am incredibly grateful for the IMEDP grant – it has made a huge difference. With the new equipment, I can serve my customers faster and offer a wider variety of dishes. The increase in turnover and customer satisfaction has been amazing. This support has helped me take Nyamza’s Cooking to the next level, and I look forward to expanding even further in the future."
