New bakers to feed Joburgers with healthiest bread in town

03 April 2016

 

Fifty emerging Johannesburg businesspeople – including owners of backyard bakeries and members of a number of co-operatives – believe they can give established bakery groups a run for their money.

 

The 50 walked out of the South African Chefs' Association Building at the University of Johannesburg's Auckland Park campus on Saturday each armed with a certificate and expert knowledge on how to bake the healthiest and tastiest bread in town.

This followed a week-long baking course conducted by a team of professional chefs from The Philippines. The training is part of the city's Blue Economy programme which seeks to use local resources in an innovative and sustainable way to stimulate economic growth.

The team was in Johannesburg at the invitation of the City of Johannesburg as part of its Go Jozi Healthy Lifestyle Programme. The programme – the brainchild of Executive Mayor Councillor Parks Tau – seeks to, among other things, promote healthy eating among residents whilst stimulating entrepreneurship.

Over the past week the Filipinos taught the South Africans how to bake healthy, nutritious and affordable bread using mango flour ingredients. "We grate the mango pip, mix it with baking flour and then add wheat and yeast to make the bread," explained Elizabeth Francisco who conducted the training.

She said eating this bread improved one's digestive system.

"It's good for diabetic people as well as those who suffer from high blood pressure," said Francisco.

The City's Noko Leopeng said the passion and enthusiasm showed by the participants was "very encouraging". She said with the new skills, they would also be able to generate income and create jobs.

Margaret Kwena, of the City's Health and Social Development Department, said healthy bread would help change people's eating habits. "The body is able to function properly when you eat properly. Healthy bread will help us deal with issues of obesity and high blood pressure as it has less sugar and salt. Wheat, fibre, mangos and avocados will be used to produce tasty and healthy bread," she said.

Francisco said she was impressed by the participants' enthusiasm and passion. "We came here to teach people how to make healthy bread. Projects like this will help create jobs while keeping people healthy," she said.

Thato Molotsane, of Soweto's BTM Food Solutions, said she could not wait to share her new skills with members of her group.

The winner of last year's Fortified Kota Competition, Molotsane said she and her partners were ready to do business in the bread and baking sector. "Watch out, Sasko! Watch out, Albany! Watch out, Blue Ribbon! Watch out, Atlas," she warned the established bakers.

Jerry Motaung of Turffontein, south of Johannesburg, said: "This workshop has given me more confidence. I hope to pass the skills on to my children."