Slowly climbing the ladder of the catering sector... meet Sipho Phakathi

Sipho Phakathi owner of Siphodu Catering 

Sipho Phakathi was born at Natalspruit Hospital on the east side of Gauteng in 1981 July 4^th. He then moved to Mpumalanga Daggakrall to live with his grandmother, as his mother was a domestic worker in Gauteng.

He started his primary at Daggakrall at Tribal Primary School, then proceeded to Zabalaza Senior Primary School in Newcastle as his paternal family was based there.

During his primary school days, he once tried to commit suicide due to the ill treatment he was receiving from his paternal family but the suicide attempt failed. 

His maternal grandmother fetched him at Newcastle so that he could start his grade8 at Seme Secondary School at Daggakrall. He only did grade 8 and 9 and was forced to move back to Newcastle when Seme Secondary was closed down by community members.

He enrolled at Bethamoya High School situated in Madadeni a township in Newcastle, that where he finished off the remaining 3 years of his high school life.

After completing high school, he made his way to the city of gold Johannesburg in 1999. He enrolled at Vista University now University of Johannesburg to study Credit Management, he did this course for one year.

He landed his first job as a teller at First National Bank (FNB) head offices in Johannesburg, he worked there for two years. After he got a better position that of being a Sales Consultant in Pinetown Kwazulu Natal, he worked there for two and a half years. He was than promoted again to be a Teller-Supervisor at Volkrust in Mpumalanga, he worked there for 3 years until he resigned in 2009 due to office politics.

He started his business as a hobby in late 2009 by cooking for friends and helping out at funerals, parties and weddings charging a small amount.

“I have always had a passion for cooking, it in my blood and I want nothing to do with banking anymore,” said Phakathi.

In March 2010 he received his pension and provident fund pay-out. He used that money to buy his house situated in Madadeni and the rest of the money he invested it in the business by buying pot, food warmers, plates and a lot of other catering equipment.

“My business began to grow when I started to do big events such as unveilings and weddings and I also employed about 5 people to help me out,” said Phakathi. He also just recently took his business to the annual Dundee July event which gave him more exposure.

He said that this type of business can be frustrating at times, it needs someone to learn to exercise patience as it is occasional.

He is involved in charity as he always gives out a helping hand to individuals and schools. “This helps me to do God’s work because I love giving to the less fortunate,” said Phakathi.

He just recently became a father to a baby girl Phiwumusa Phakathi. He said that she is the best gift from God.

His neighbor and colleague Sibongile Nxumalo said that the work very well with Phakathi, He has been so good to them since he started his business.

Jabu Ndlovu a friend and colleague said “he is a good boss, he is kind, and shows us the way whenever we heading in the wrong direction.”

Phakathi said that in the near future he want to open a function hire shop to expand his business. “I have re branded most of my things, my staff has uniforms now, I want to conquer outside of Newcastle and most importantly I want to raise my daughter to be a God fearing woman and to be the best person she can be,” concluded Phakathi.

For all your decor, catering and everything that you need feel free to contact Siphodu Catering, contact number:0768503701, siphodu18@gmail.com and is situated at C3599 Section3 Madadeni.