Thando Makhubo saved R350 grant to start ice-cream business

Thando Makhubo saved R350 grant to start an ice-cream business

By: Natasha Archary

Thando Makhubo from Soweto had according to the president, saved his R350 grant for 7-months and then opened an ice-cream business.

Many South Africans were not convinced that he had managed to start a business with so little but Thando’s story is one that should be shared.

Running the calculations, R350 over 7-months equates to R 2,450 which many felt was an unbelievable amount to get a business off the ground.

Speaking to Kaya 959, Thando shared how he got his ice-cream business off the ground.

More about Thando Makhubo

The qualified fashion designer studied at UJ and started his own brand of jeans soon after he graduated.

Things weren’t picking up and Thando decided he needed to find a job. He joined retail, working for Edcon as a trainee merchant.

Once the learnership ended, Thando was unemployed.

The business-minded individual was saving up almost half of his salary while he was working. He used this money to fund his photography business.

“I bought cameras, lenses and lighting equipment and started photography. My bookings were mainly for events and it was just getting off the ground when lockdown hit.”
Thando Makhubo shared

The hard lockdown that started in March 2020, meant that there were no events taking place, and Thando had no means of income.

Family run business

Living at home with his mom and two siblings was his saving grace.

“My mom is a pensioner and I’ve always lived at home. I have a brother and a younger sister who also live with us. My sister has a daughter and she collects a grant too.”

Like millions of other South Africans Thando applied for the R350 social relief grant in March and was approved. He started receiving the grant in May 2020.

“The first month’s grant, I ate. We just bought groceries. The second and third month’s grant, I didn’t touch.”

The idea to start Soweto Creamery, his ice-cream business came from Pinterest. With a passion for photography, Thando was always looking for inspiration.

He saw pictures of gourmet ice-creams and decided to give it a try. Using the R700 he had saved over two months, he bought all the supplies he needed.

Thando then took stylised pictures of his product and sent these to everyone he knows. Having previously done some photography for Mohale Motaung, he sent him the sample picture and the rest as they say is history.

“After Mohale came through, the business took off. He posted on his Instagram and his followers started coming through.”

Thando invested the R350 grant back into his business over the next few months and officially launched Soweto Creamy in August 2020.

While the president said that Thando now employs 4 people, he didn’t mention that Thando’s ice-cream business is family run.

“My brother handles the events side of things. My younger sister is in the kitchen and my mom manages the finances. I also have a security guard who watches my client’s cars when they’re parked on the street.”

He runs the establishment from his home and his venue is one of Soweto’s biggest hot spots. There are plans to grow the business and Thando will be including waffles on his menu soon.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended the R350 social grant until March 2023.

Also read: WATCH – “This is not a bank house!” Makhadzi says she bought her R4 million house cash

Written by: Natasha

Thando Makhubo