Johannesburg - “I want the bread they spoke about on the radio.”
Soweto resident and pensioner Friedman Zikhali is outside the newly opened bakery in Pimville, Zone 3. It’s the first bakery in Soweto to sell mango bread, the loaf made from mango flour milled from mango peel and mango pips.
Last week the City of Joburg launched the new loaf as a healthier and low-cost alternative as part of its Go Jozi Healthy Lifestyle programme.
Early this year small business owners were trained to bake the wholesome bread by a group of Filipino chefs.
For Zikhali, the idea of bread without sugar and salt was just what the doctor ordered. “I’m always going for medical check-ups, so this will be great for me,” he says.
The mango loaf costs R7.50, while an ordinary loaf of white bread costs between R6.50 and R11.
When Zikhali is given a taster, he says it’s delicious.
Caroline Zwane of Emkhatini Corporation, the first group of bakers trained to make the mango bread, says demand is rocketing.
“We’ve had people from as far as Sebokeng asking for this bread. We are busy,” she says.
Margaret Koena, a City of Joburg facilitator at the bakery, says the idea of baking bread using mango flour imported from the Philippines stems from a desperate need for healthy food in townships.
“So many our people suffer from chronic illnesses. Having something like this, which is affordable, makes it easier for them to lead healthy lifestyles.”
The confectionery also sells rusks, scones, rolls and muffins made from mango flour.
“To many people it looks like brown bread but it isn’t. There’s no wheat,” Koena says.
“People think this bread is only for diabetic people or those who are sick, but not so. It’s for everyone.”
Caterer Kagiso Leepile, the youngest of the bakery’s staff, says he’s glad that he’s learnt the process.
“So many of us take bread for granted. To watch how dough is weighed and machines involved in producing large quantities is phenomenal.”
The MMC of Health and Social Development, Nonceba Molwele, is ecstatic at the feedback.
“On Mandela Day, a lady wanted 67 loaves! Some of the beneficiaries are now able to make money,” she says.
Twelve new such bakeries will be rolled out next week.
Saturday Star