We found ourselves, changing isimo sokuhlala (how we live), it became ‘Business Unusual’, we changed how we traditionally and culturally bury our loved ones, as UmXhosa, we would have two weeks (depending on how the person died, of course) of prayer and worship before our loved ones are buried, we would hire tents, catering companies (if necessary), ask for extra accommodation space from neighbours (for guests travelled from afar to support the grieving family). In essence we spent a lot of money, resources and time to celebrate, mourn and bury our loved ones with dignity. Then in comes year 2020, shortly followed by Covid. Our two weeks of prayer and worship became a week. A tent was no longer needed, no catering company needed, no asking neighbours for a nice place and use special plates for abefundisi (pastors). Hundreds of people that would usually attend funerals became fifty people. And now for the first time there had to be an attendance register, and police coming to check if we are adhering to the rules.

We had a curfew (and still do), we had to stay home and only go out for essentials. Businesses found themselves having to change their strategies and models. We now could work from home, those who couldn’t before except essential workers. A lot of businesses suffered, financially and closed. Our unemployment rate skyrocket. 

My business, Hostess and Cook, also suffered. I had to stop all operations. The hardest part was having to turn down business and disappoint our amazing customers. However, for me, it was not only about finances, red tape due to Covid rules of doing business nowadays – conversely, it was also about my mental health. I found an opportunity to breathe, just breathe, I temporarily deactivated my social media accounts and took everything in since starting the business. Suffice it to say, an opportunity to regroup and relook at things presented itself. I went back to how I always wanted to do things, I contacted friends who were also customers to seek feedback. I looked at what didn’t work and how to improve it, in that a name change arose. Though, I loved and still love the name ‘Hostess and Cook’, it was never my original plan. The name I wanted to always use was ‘Andiswa’s Kitchen or Aya’s Kitchen’. I was robbed by a fellow businessowner and I lost both names. I then thought to name the business based on what I do when I visit friends’ parties or hosting. Which was to Cook and Host. Consequently, Hostess and Cook was born.

In regrouping and looking at the future, I realised the name is not where I want the business to be in the next 5 years or so, not a legacy I hope to leave behind. So I plainly went back to the original plan and name, because now I could. The situation afforded me time to be able to. Now here we are, as Andiswa’s Kitchen, to solve some of your food, kitchen and homeware problems. To offer recipes, that we can only offer (please don’t ask for recipes if we don’t post it). To provide nostalgia cookware and serveware and all other things we hope to embark on. We are hopefully things will work for the better this time around. Do we have everything figured out? Not at all. With that said, we pretty much believe that our dedication, lessons from failures and passion shall prevail. And we cannot wait to have you join us in this new journey.

Be kind to yourself, love yourself, be a better version of yourself, because when you do all these for yourself, you are then able to give to others authentically. You are also able to recognise and receive it back.