Durban University of Technology (DUT) is proud to highlight the entrepreneurial journey of Ms Thandazile Faya, a young graduate from KwaDabeka, who has turned a community challenge into a successful bakery.
Her journey embodies DUT’s philosophy of education: “Our creativity and innovations shape adaptive graduates who transform society.” Her story speaks directly to the University’s ENVISION2030 strategy and institutional DNA. As a people-centred and engaged university that is innovative and entrepreneurial, DUT empowers its adaptive graduates not only to seek employment, but to create opportunities that contribute to the development of our region, country and the world.
After completing her Diploma in Tourism Management at DUT, Faya returned home full of hope for employment. Like many graduates, she faced unemployment. Instead of letting this setback define her future, she began observing the needs of her community. She noticed that bread deliveries often arrived late in rural areas and when they did, the bread was costly.
“Many families struggled to afford this necessity, as the price of bread continued to rise while household incomes remained low. In many homes, especially in rural areas, bread is a daily staple that feeds the entire family. When it becomes too expensive, families are forced to reduce the quantity they buy or go without it altogether,” she explained.
TeefayaBakery bread.
Driven by the desire to make a difference, Faya came up with the idea of baking affordable, fresh bread for her community. What started as a simple idea at home grew into TeefayaBakery. With determination and resilience, she began baking and selling loaves of bread and cakes, ensuring they were affordable for all. Currently, the business employs two people, contributing not only to Faya’s livelihood but also to job creation in her area.
Joining the DUT Centre for Social Entrepreneurship Business Incubator programme further strengthened her entrepreneurial journey. She learned how to properly record daily sales and expenses, helping her understand whether the business was making a profit.
“Through the CSE Business Incubator training, I gained marketing skills that helped me promote my bakery more effectively and increase my sales. It changed my mindset from just baking bread to managing a structured and growing business,” Faya added.
Faya has clear plans for the future. She hopes to buy a larger container workspace because her current space is too small for efficient operations. She plans to purchase a bread slicer after customers requested sliced bread and aims to buy a delivery vehicle to expand beyond her surrounding areas and reach a larger market. She also wants to brand her plastic packaging bags to make TeefayaBakery products recognisable and appealing.
Faya advises aspiring entrepreneurs to be patient, to understand that success does not happen overnight, and to work hard consistently. She believes entrepreneurship is challenging, but it is possible with determination and faith.
Pictured: The Founder of TeefayaBakery, Ms Thandazile Faya.
Snelisiwe Hlongwane/ Phiwayinkosi Sibiya
