While it is a usual sight for mothers to run their small businesses with their children in tow, it is refreshing when a man does that. Mkhumbuzi Ncube (30) from Snake Park, Soweto says the bond  he shares with his son is what drives him to tag him along on his hustle. Ncube tells Zimoja  that he is unemployed and therefore sells cakes for a living. He adds that the birth of his son encouraged him to want to do more.
"I started selling cakes in 2019 so that I could afford my basic needs. I taught myself how to bake and my girlfriend also joined in," he says.

PROVIDING FOR HIS FAMILY

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Ncube says life was tough and as a man he could not bear the frustration of not being able to provide or wonder where his next meal would come from.
He says that's when he asked a relative to lend him money to start a business.
" I have seen people selling cakes in different locations and I thought that the business would be relief from poverty. Of course, I could not bake so I had to make means to learn," says Ncube
He adds that as people got used to him selling, the demand became high and he decided to teach his girlfriend how to bake.                                                                           "This helped me because when I'm  out selling the stock, my  girlfriend of four years stays at home to bake more. We have to delegate tasks and I feel that it's much safer if I'm the one that goes to the streets compared to my girlfriend. The world is cruel and I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if anything happened to her," says Ncube

LIFE WAS HARD

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He explains that he takes his son along because it breaks his heart to see him cry so that's why he goes selling with him.
"I have a very strong bond with my son, and whenever I try to leave he cries," he says.
Ncube says initially the business wasn't giving them any profit and life was hard.
"I used to sell for R5 a packet and people around my kasi would also ask for credit and never pay. That was a major setback but things have gotten better since people order in buckets now," he said.Ncube says as a man he had to make sure that he provides even if it meant spending most of his time in the kitchen, which most men don't like. He says from the money they make, they are able to pay rent, buy and groceries and essentials for the baby which makes him happy.