Emma Khuthadzo Netshivhazwaulu is a rising young businesswoman from Maniini, near Thohoyandou, who is rapidly becoming a household name in the traditional food industry. Emma, aged 20, launched her enterprise - selling Venda traditional samp (tshidzimba) - in Thohoyandou with the help of her assistants. These daily offerings of tasty samp have gained her a loyal following, with many customers now addicted to its flavour.

The genesis of her business venture is quite a tale. “After completing my matric, I found myself stuck at home with nowhere to go as I did not have money to further my studies. My mother was not working, and my father did piece jobs, which only covered the basic needs at home. With nothing to do, this afforded me the chance to think of business ideas, and something traditional, like samp, came to mind first.”

Emma sold the idea of starting a business to her mother, who she says is a specialist in cooking samp. “We teamed up and started cooking for a church fundraising event, and people loved our samp. Our business started small, but it rapidly grew by the day. We had to get assistants to help cater to the needs of our ever-increasing customers, and the rest is history,” she said.

But although Emma seems to be doing an excellent job as an entrepreneur, one dream she has not let go of, and that is to become a nurse one day. Through the income she is generating from her business, she is saving towards her dream of registering for a nursing degree at the University of Venda (Univen). Her goal is set for next year.

“I always wanted to be a nurse, and with the money I am accumulating, I will be able to go to varsity next year. I love my culture dearly, and I am glad that I am also doing my part in preserving it by selling this tasty traditional food,” she said.