When young entrepreneur, Lufefe Nomjana (aka The Spinach King) decided to expand his Khayelitsha based bakery business, the bicycle was his first choice as a delivery vehicle – economical and sustainable, it fitted perfectly into the eco-friendly ethos of his company, while giving him the flexibility to deliver bread into areas that are inaccessible to vehicles.
In 2012 Lufefee graduated from the Raymond Ackerman Academy of Entrepreneurial Development and established a health-inspired bakery business. His mission – to change the way people are eating in Khayelitsha, for the better. Lufefe creates affordable baked goods that are enriched with spinach, giving them a big nutritious punch! He distributes to pre-schools, orphanages, and to many individuals in and around his community.
THE SPINACH KING GETS WHEELS
Originally one of the biggest challenges Lufefe faced was that of transportation, without a delivery van he and his staff had to walk about 25 km a day. Lufefe knew that in order to expand his business he would need a cost efficient and practical form of transport that could easily maneuver around the crowded streets of Khayelitsha township.
In 2013 he launched a crowd funding campaign through SA’s own crowdfunding platform Thundafund and raised funds to buy 5 bicycles for bread deliveries. The bicycles – branded and designed specifically for product deliveries – were supplied by BEN (Bicycling Empowerment Network) who also provided the staff with bicycle safety training. Powered by two wheels Lufefe’s business expanded, rolling out into other areas of the city, bringing healthy food to the people of Cape Town.
…AND A NEW HOME
And that was just the beginning. In 2016 with the support of Virgin Active, Lufufe, opened a Health Foods Café & Bakery – Spinach King in Khayelitsha Mall where he sells a variety of spinach-based foods such as breads, muffins, juices and smoothies and more! The cafe is built out of a re-purposed shipping container donated by Safmarine and designed by the award winning, Tsai Design Studio. The exterior of the café includes an organic garden where Lufefe grows vegetables and herbs used in his products. The interior was conceptualised and fitted by JesseJames Design, who drew their inspiration from weaved bread baskets. Customers can even make their own smoothies and juices by pedaling ‘blender bikes’ supplied by Virgin Active.
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Meet Mariska, the maker behind the cool, new bike-bag brand, Pieta Designs.
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Win two tickets to this year’s Bicycle Film Festival – Cape Town!
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Win an Enjoy ProXision kit (bib shorts and jersey) in our latest Gear Giveaway. Find out how to enter here…
