More than 1 200 Evaton residents have invested to revive a bakery named Isinkwa Sethu, which earns enough to hire nine employees, two drivers as well as return profits.
- More than 1 200 social relief distress grant recipients in Evaton have pooled their R370 payments to become co-owners of a fully operational bakery, Isinkwa Sethu.
- The initiative, led by businessman Sibusiso Ntsele, aims to fight poverty, unemployment and substance abuse through community-driven investment.
- The bakery produces affordable bread, creates jobs and keeps money circulating within the township economy.
In Evaton, Gauteng, a remarkable story of community empowerment is unfolding.
More than 1 200 recipients of the R370 social relief of distress (SRD) grant have become co-owners of a fully operational bakery, thanks to the vision of local businessman Sibusiso Ntsele.
The bakery, named Isinkwa Sethu (loosely translated as Our Bread), opened its doors in December 2025 and stands as a beacon of hope in the fight against poverty, unemployment, and social challenges such as drug addiction.
Ntsele, deeply concerned about the high unemployment rate in the Vaal, saw an opportunity to transform lives using the SRD grant.
“Unemployment is rife in the Vaal, and we have the advantage of the R370 SRD grant to fight poverty,” he said.
However, Ntsele was troubled by how quickly many recipients spent their grants on drugs, alcohol, gambling, and other non-essentials. Determined to make a difference, he began recruiting grant recipients in 2024.
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The journey began with Ntsele’s Isicholo Investment Stokvel, a community-driven savings initiative with more than 8 000 members. Unlike pyramid schemes, the stokvel allowed members to invest their funds and withdraw them at the end of the year, yielding tangible benefits.
“Our stokvel is not a pyramid scheme. Our investors are seeing the fruits of their investment,” Ntsele emphasised.
Refurbishing an old bakery
Through the stokvel, the group purchased and refurbished an old bakery, transforming it into Isinkwa Sethu. The bakery’s mission was clear: to produce affordable, high-quality bread accessible to every resident in the area. To ensure widespread access, stalls were set up in various locations for daily bread distribution.
The bakery now employs nine skilled workers and two drivers. It has also acquired a bakkie and a truck for daily bread deliveries. Salaries for employees are sourced from the investors’ contributions, ensuring the business remains sustainable. Additionally, the bakery has installed back-up electricity to maintain operations during power outages.
Ntsele’s vision extends beyond the bakery. He dreams of creating a self-sustaining economy within the township, where businesses benefit the community directly.
He asked:
It is sad that malls in townships don’t benefit communities. How nice would it be for people to buy groceries and clothes from businesses that benefit them financially?
Ntsele envisions a future where communities benefit from their daily consumption.
“South Africa consumes more than five million loaves of bread daily. If communities earned even R1 from every loaf, poverty would no longer be an issue,” he stated.
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Ntsele highlighted the potential impact: “If you multiply five million loaves by 30 days, it’s a significant amount of money that could empower the unemployed.”
‘Many doubted, now they want to be members’
Nontokozo Nene is one of the investors and also an employee at the bakery. She was unemployed and recruited by a friend.
“I want it to be a success. I am appealing for more unemployed people to join. Initially, many doubted this project. Some are asking questions 1773967924 wanting to become members,” Nene said.
Another investor, Sipho Ncwadi, added that the opportunity was life-changing.
Ncwadi said:
As citizens, we thought it took millions to own a business and invest in it. With a mere R370, it has become a reality.
With more than 1 200 affiliated members, Isinkwa Sethu is already covering its operational costs and generating income for its investors. Ntsele’s ultimate goal is to see the bakery become the fastest-growing business in the country.
The group also plans to occupy more business spaces, ensuring that money circulates within the township and benefits its residents.
Ntsele’s initiative demonstrates the power of community-driven solutions to address systemic challenges.
By turning grant recipients into long-term investors, he has not only created jobs but also instilled a sense of ownership and pride among residents – and the potential for collective action to transform lives.
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