TSOMO – In a quiet corner of Tsomo a story of courage, faith and community flavor is unfolding one plate at a time. With no formal culinary training and no startup funds, a local woman’s leap of faith has turned her home-cooked meals into a beloved township brand serving both heart and heritage.
From cooking with passion and pride for the Tsomo community, the visionary behind this growing venture is Siyabusiswa Bakubaku, a 36-year-old from Mtshulwa Village in Tsomo who turned her lifelong love for food into a purposeful path.
After dedicating seven years to teaching, she made the bold decision in 2024 to pursue her dream full-time stepping away from the classroom and into the kitchen, armed only with faith, determination and a talent she calls ‘a gift from God.‘
“I started selling food during the festive season of 2024, my first stand was located in front of Tsomo Hotel, where people often gather for celebrations. On the very first day, my food sold out within an hour that’s when I knew this was what I was meant to do,” she said.
With no business plan in place and only a dream to guide her, Siyabusiswa launched CYA Twin Restaurant, a humble food caravan that has quickly become a local favorite. Her food began to attract loyal customers, but a major turning point came when well-known Facebook influencer Lona Mgoqi began buying meals from her and sharing rave reviews online.
“Lona really helped put my business on the map. Her support on social media brought in many new customers,” Siyabusiswa says with gratitude.
Thanks to word-of-mouth and growing community support, Siyabusiswa now caters for local events, including functions hosted by the Taxi Rank Association and Rainbow Academy in Tsomo.
Despite the growth, her journey has not been without obstacles. “There are days when no one buys anything,” she admits. “But I don’t give up. Business needs patience. I take time to rest, to reflect, and I welcome advice from people who truly want to see me succeed.”
In addition a key part of her approach is staying connected with her customers. “I encourage open and honest feedback not to point out faults, but to help me improve. I learn from every comment,” she explains.
For those eager to taste her soulful dishes, CYA Twin Restaurant is easy to find housed in a caravan near the old prison, just opposite the Tsomo Library. Look out for the name CYA Twin proudly displayed on the side.
As Siyabusiswa continues to grow her business, she remains grounded in her purpose: to serve good food, uplift her community and prove that passion, when paired with perseverance, can create powerful change.
Editor’s Note: To support or place an order with CYA Twin Restaurant, visit Siyabusiswa’s food caravan in Tsomo or connect with her through local community pages online.
