The Knead Bakery is a project of the Al-Fidaa School of Baking in collaboration with the Light of the Needy.
Started on the 4th of October 2021, the school offers women a one-week basic introduction and if the competency levels are achieved they will graduate onto the more advanced four-week home bakers’ course, which gives them key skills required to start a home-based baking business for free to the unemployed in the community.
The pioneering idea behind these classes is to train underprivileged and unemployed women in the art of patisserie, and provide them with expert baking and decorating skills. Up to eight students can enrol for each course which runs every five weeks, from Mondays to Fridays.
On Wednesday, eight more students graduated at the Knead Bakery Academy in Laudium with the theme of the baking being heritage day.
From left, Head Chef Siphiwe Manqamane, Makoeta Magdeline, Firdous Gani, Sailikita Padayachy, Kgaogelo Mmlati, Keneilwe Matsapola, Mokgadi Mashele, Shakira Kambanje, Precious Sibambo and The Knead’s Naadira Hassen.
Guest speaker Councillor Naeem Patel was impressed with the baking and congratulated the students and told them that graduating is only the first step, the next step is what to do with the knowledge they’ve learnt from here. Patel encouraged these students to start their own businesses.
Mokgadi Mashele of Pretoria West thanked Al Fidaa for sponsoring them. “When I first got here, I didn’t know anything about baking, but now I can walk away ready to start my own business. Thank you to our star chef Siphiwe as well.”
Braai-themed cupcakes by Firdous
Kgaogelo Mmatli from Atteridgeville said she was blessed to be here as she was selected by a feeding committee to come and learn more so she can give back to her community. “When I was younger I always wanted to open up a bakery but my mum didn’t allow me to. Thank God today, my dream came through. I really want to open my bakery and so I can make someone else’s dreams come through as well.”
Some of the bakes by the students
To donate, support or collaborate on skills development and creating jobs for the unemployed, you can contact Saleem of the Light of the Needy on 082 654 3950.
Females wanting to enroll for the course can email chef@theknead.co.za
