30 Apr 2015

One may be tempted to ask how those echoing the words want to be saved. However, the moment you make up your mind to save yourself, the aroma from the kitchen strikes your nose.

Thus, the inscription on the sign board instructs or persuades you to save yourself from an empty stomach. In other words, it is to whet your appetite, either as a tourist who has travelled long distances to experience the scenic view of the Okavango Delta or on a business trip.

Interestingly, a 30-years old woman is the brains behind the SAVE ME restaurant. She is one of the many lucky youngsters who have benefitted from government under the Youth Development Fund (YDF).

Christmas came early for her in November 2012 when she was funded to the tune of P98 000 to kick start her business. As a hard worker with passion, Ms Margaret Phatshwane earned a nickname, ‘MMADIPOTO’, from a young age.

Immediately after she received the funds, she bought a three-burner stove, food display equipment, a fridge, freezer, table and chairs to begin saving empty stomachs as she puts it.
Her business caters for people from all walks of life - government employees, and Okavango residents besides offering side jobs on catering.

Asked about her business acumen, she says cooking is an art and a talent to her. Even though her menu is not different from other restaurants’ in the village, her business still attracts many customers and has inspired to open a big restaurant in a year’s time.

One well known chef, Mr Jamie Oliver‘s philosophy to food and healthy eating has always been about enjoying everything in a balanced and sane way.  He explains that food is one of life’s greatest joys yet they have reached this really sad point where people turn food into an enemy, and something to be afraid of. 

Just like her colleague Oliver, Ms Phatshwane also values healthy food.“We don’t add too much oil, and make sure that we don’t put much seasoning in the food,” she explains. She prepares fresh salads. Ms Phatshwane says in future, she wants to add an array of desserts on the menu. 

‘’I always make sure that I read magazines and recipe books,” she adds. She remembers that while she worked in another restaurant as a cashier, she used to spend more time in the kitchen with other employees.

‘’My love has always been in the kitchen,” she laughs as she narrates her story. Meanwhile, Phatshwane the challenges she faces are compeition from other catering companies as well as high commodity prices.

Transport used to be a challenge but since she owns a car it has helped alleviate the situation. Ms Phatshwane is grateful for government to afford her this opportunity that she has even managed to build herself a house.

“This restaurant business has really dignified me, and my three children are living well, it has really helped me,” she says. She also derives satisfaction from the fact that she has hired six people at the restaurant.

To succeed in the business, she advises others one has to love their job. She says ever since she started her business, she makes sure that she is present at all the times and that her employees are doing their job diligently.

“Patience is the key to managing any businesses,” she adds.   As a keen business woman, she has always advertised her business either by word of mouth or people in the village help her look for clients.

Handling finances, she explains, needs not to be overlooked. In 2012, she had the opportunity to enroll for a course the Department of Youth organised on how to handle money and stock.

Time and again, she tries new recipes and says she welcomes advice from clients so that she improves her cooking to please customers. She mentions that a catering business needs someone who is always clean to promote good health.

For those on the move, the right turn to save your empty stomach is just few minutes immediately you reach the village of Shakawe. This is also an opportunity to ease the hunger after driving a long distance. Ends