Turning simple baking into a celebration of South African culture

GQEBERHA – What started as a simple act of baking for friends in Germany has grown into a powerful vision to preserve culture, empower communities and celebrate South Africa’s rich food heritage.

Nomzamo Steven, born in Gqeberha raised in Kwazakhele is the visionary, proud founder of Mzansi Bread Bakery, a home-based business dedicated to reviving traditional South African breads such as ujeqe, rostile (isonka sombhako), amagwinya and dombolo.

Mzansi Bread Bakery officially opened its doors on 12 November 2024, Steven began by selling bread informally on WhatsApp and by June 2025 as the brand gained trust, she invested in branding, registered the business, secured all necessary compliance certificates and brought on an accountant to help manage operations.

After completing high school at Kwazakhele High and a Hospitality course at Russel College, financial struggles forced her to leave her studies behind. She spent over a decade working in hospitality, most notably at the popular Beer Shack in Gqeberha, before moving abroad to work at a winter resort in Germany.

“Every time I baked our traditional breads for my friends, they loved them but struggled to pronounce the names. I told them to just call it Mzansi Bread and that’s how the name was formed,” she said.

Realising the power of food to carry culture and pride, Steven returned home and teamed up with her sister to start Mzansi Bread Bakery. While her sister manages daily operations in South Africa, Steven oversees the books, marketing and overall management from abroad.

Together with another staff member and a bread ambassador, they are on a mission to turn traditional breads into a celebrated staple in bakeries across the country.

*The employees of Mzansi bread bakery showcasing one of the tradditional bread with pride*

Furthermore Steven added that, “The biggest challenge was running a home-based bakery with very limited resources. The journey began by starting small-baking for families, stokvels, funerals and community events. Step by step, people began to believe in the vision,” she said.

In addition every Tuesday, Mzansi Bread Bakery gives back to the community by donating bread to local schools.