By Seleoe Nonyane
Funiwe Dlamini is a go-getter, risk taker and hard worker who has put her professional career aside to run her catering business called Flavour Inc. Catering and Events.
The entrepreneur holds a Master’s Degree in International Trade Law but has since not practiced in the field after losing her job when the Covid-19 pandemic hit.
Flavour Inc. Catering and Events offers catering services and despite the economic climate, her aim is for the business to offer flavourful home cooked meals at an affordable price for an everyday person.
The business offers catering services for events such as weddings, workshops, graduation ceremonies and more.
However, she also sells food daily and she is located in the heart of Maseru City, downtown near Mokorotlong with her clientele mostly being the working class in the vicinity.
Dlamini noted that for now she is only focusing on the catering part of the business as she has not yet expanded into events.
She indicated that she started out as ‘a means to an end’, explaining that just before Covid-19 she was employed.
She said since her former company was fairly new, her employers thought with the economic climate at the time there was too much risk to continue with their business therefore, and they had to close down the business.
Dlamini had bills to pay and thought of opening a cooking business.
“I was like, I can cook, no one has died from my cooking and I thoroughly enjoy it and somewhat get good reviews.
“It was a means to an end but now definitely a passion,” she recounted.
Dlamini added that she has a Master’s Degree in International Trade Law holder so when the company closed down, she could not secure a job in the legal field.
It was a good thing because maybe if her law career worked out, she would not be where she is today.
She said the business gets very intense and challenging but she loves it and has witnessed how much potential it has.
Dlamini was proud to inform this publication that she is an employer of two people.
She said this goes to show that she is headed in the right direction and is creating value.
“Thing about small businesses is that people become attached to the owner. For instance, if I am not at work people call me to say they don’t see me so they won’t be buying food that day.
“That is the unfortunate thing about small business; since I have employees now, I am trying to detach myself a bit from the brand. The Flavour Inc. Catering and Events should be a brand in its own right,” she explained.
Responding to the question of whether would take an opportunity in the legal sector if it arose and leave the streets, she stated that she could take it but it would have to be a great offer as the business has now become like a passion project for her.
She said the business helped her through a very tough time and has seen what possibilities and opportunities it can also present for her.
Dlamini disclosed that she is not actively looking for a job in the legal field but should it at one point come along, she would want to be able to do that and business should also be a brand when that time comes.
She was excited to reveal that she has introduced healthy meal options to her menu. She draws inspiration from being practical about health and fitness.
Dlamini said she realised that when people think of healthy eating, they think it’s eating small portions with just salad hence some people are unable to sustain it.
She said there is no way people can eat only lettuce every day and it is also not exciting.
“So, those meals are what I eat when I am eating clean, so I wanted to show people that healthy eating does not have to be boring and lack flavour.
“It is just me applying the little knowledge that I have acquired since being interested in fitness and healthy eating,” Dlamini concluded.
