The smell of butter mixed with eggs, milk, sugar and flour in the oven hits you the moment you enter Nyathi Street in Benoni, South Africa.
Percy the township master of Cakes for any occasion.
This is where the township, led Percy cake empire was born.
It is is still at its infant stage but judging by the excellent service it provide, one knows the business has reached a peak of taking off. It was almost the end of August last year when I came again to Benoni.
This time to pick up my two-year-old nephew, Ntando Ndabeni's birthday cake.
Me trying to market beads business at my son's 1st birthday. My print journalist colleagues, Gabi, Monica, Nomahlubi came through for me.
I was so taken by the work Percy did on my son's birthday.
I wanted to tell everybody about his work so that he can fly.
The price for what was done on my son's birthday cake was nothing from what I got from them.
My friend, Gabi Mbele came up with the idea of this cake.
We were even able to share the cake with all the kids and parents that came through to the party on 4th February 2017 at the Zoo Lake and the kids under the theme of minions.
My nephew's cake Ntando Ndabeni
My cousin, Linam Ndabeni had chosen the Tom and Jerry theme. Apparently, Ntando loves Tom and Jerry Cartoons. We posted videos of his party on my facebook account: khanyiswa ndabeni
Pic from Percy's Cakes facebook page
On my second visit, I marveled at the growth of Percy's business. When I initially came, he was just using his sisters kitchen to bake the cakes, but now, he had built himself a bakery a step away from the kitchen he first started from.
This bakery is different from the one you probably used to, this one is a two bedroom shack decorated by a bakery stove and all the bakery equipment you can think of.
Percy himself came out wearing his white uniform. But I was not in a rush this time. I asked to come in and see where he works. To be honest, I was struck by the progress of a young brother from a similar background as mine just doing it.
Pic from Percy's Cake facebook page
It turns out, Percy, like the majority of many black children in his age in South Africa. Her sister, couldn't afford to take him to varsity when he needed it. He was baking then but it was not really his passion, he wanted to study something else. But circumstances forced him to bake and sell cakes to neighbours and family in Benoni Township, South Africa. The initially recipe for scones and other cake were shared by grannies in his neighborhood. The tasters and critic's of his work were of course were his friends. The nod from these critics led to Percy being confident in selling to the public.
Pic from Percy's Cake facebook page
But the money was not enough to build a business he wanted. He worked at Game Stores and Something Fishy and saved up enough money to study and operate his business.
Percy's Cake facebook page
It is his love for what he currently do that saw him through his Diploma in food preparation and cooking. After he completed Intec College certificate.
Percy's Cake facebook page
His facebook page can set your tongue wet with the beautiful wedding, birthday and many moments that are celebrated better with a piece of Cake. Whether it my favourite, a chocolate, a Swiss Meringue with orange n oreo, Vanilla and Chocolate, you name it Percy is your man.
Percy's Cake facebook page
A purple two ladder Princess Sophia Cake for four year old Kathlego who turned four this year January.
A Pink and White round cake with baby Thando's face as she turned five earlier this year
Percy's Cake facebook page
You can see this Benoni Cake master was hard at work, trying to please his client at the beginning of this year.
Percy's Cake facebook page
The 33-year-old business man says he is manage to bring out the vision of every client because he understand what the client want and need and execute that information in a cake.
Percy's Cake facebook page
His artistry is not only in the design of a car, a shoe, dress, spider man, minions or any design you can think of in a cake. Everything is beautiful inside and out in at the when tasting his work.
Percy's Cake facebook page
Percy's Cake is currently based in Benoni South Africa. Go to their facebook page for more of their work.
I hope you like this story too, please share with loved ones or follow us on Twitter @ndabenik facebook:
Khanyiswa Ndabeni
At Ndabeni Creatives, our customers are our stars. Please scroll down you might spot yourself and bed reminded of uMgidi, wedding, traditional ceremony, Christmas party, gala dinner you attended in 2018. We were so honored to be part of your special event and I hope you turned heads and our pieces made you stand out and brought the African King and Queen in you. Please if your picture is not here and you want it here, please drop me a Whatsapp will arrange
PR guru, Vista Khalipha at a wedding in Limpopo pic supplied.
Feedback from braodcasterm Iman Rappetti
I look back at the road I have traveled when I started the business and I thought, it will be proper to say thank you to everyone who has landed their support so far. During the festive season, my jewelery has been won at African royal weddings, emigidini nase micimbini.
Communications manager at Viacom, Gabi Mbele at the BET awards last year
I've received a positive feedback on social media, twitter, facebook and instagram. I know I've introduced other features in this blog but I just want to look back and play every customer Brenda Fassie's song, Umuntu Ngumuntu Ngabantu.
African Rosary for Saagar
You can follow me on twitter @ndabenik on facebook: khanyiswa ndabeni, Instagram @khanyiswa2. If have a story that suit the blog please drop me an e-mail on khanyindabenik@gmail.com in the meantime, let me sing.....
Feedback from Nonhle Thema, at Talent Coaching Academy
graphic designer, Nolo
Nosizwe Zembe
Former senior journalist at True Love, Ziphozintle
Screenshots by Gabi
Some neck piece are just simple
We made this transflag for Yaya
Online clothing shop, Do it differently chose our jewellery for their photo shoot
Thank you, my africa, I wont be where I am, without you.
You have given me the will, the will to succeed, thank you for the opportunity, ngiyabonga, brothers and sisters, standing behind me, all teh way.
Oh it gives me hope and it gives me strength, and its all because, Umuntu ngumtu ngabantu X4
Everywhere I go its always the same, your love keeps pushing me day by day. Oh it gives me hope and it gives me strength and I will always remember Umuntu ngumntu ngabantu
Our regular customer
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TransActivist, Yaya Mavundla with our Massai chocker, a regular customer
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Friend and customer, Dineo Matomela
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Times Online media journalist, Nomahlubi Jordaan
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