Small-town bakers have become a critical financial lifeline for their families and communities in the Karoo.
Long before dawn’s early light streaks the Karoo skies, dozens of kitchens in the Eastern Cape town of Cradock are already on the buzz.
Anything that is labelled #9 and sold from Dit en Dat in Cradock is baked and supplied by Rika de Vos and her husband Francois . of cakes is cooling on her stoep, under protective gauze. She usually bakes and ices 16 cakes a day and then, when occasion demands, she’ll also be making rusks andMaswazandile “Maswazi” Mabusela, the breakfast chef at the Victoria Manor , is up and preparing to head early to the hotel kitchen to try out a new recipe he has devised with bread-mad manager David Ker.
Unlike the others, she’s a night owl, baking until midnight and often into the early hours. Annemarie is known for her milk tart, chocolate cake, Greek shortcake and cheesecake. Her three daughters – Inge, Hildegard and Ulrike – each have their own specialties on offer there.A freshly baked and iced coffee cake from D’licious. People in the platteland have learnt to make a plan with long-life items in the pantry – which is how Cremora and Caramel Tart originated.
The success of cooks and bakers leans heavily on Cradock’s very active social life. If it’s not a child’s birthday, then it’s a bridge tournament or a tennis match, book club, garden club or a birthday, christening, wedding, funeral or anniversary. There is no advertising and no branding. But each member is allocated a number, and buyers quickly learn who makes the carrot cakes, pies or rusks they love the best. It’s all about word of mouth and consistency in quality.
Home baker Ellen Taks loves rising early to make the goods she’ll sell that day – like these Malay-style Koesisters, delicately flavoured with mixed spice and cinnamon. “We would be up at 5am, and often we’d only get to bed by 11 that night, absolutely exhausted. There was no time to have a family. But if I had to live my life over, I’d do it all again. I loved it! We’d mix and bake side by side, then Marita would go and deliver, and I’d start mixing the next batch.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Eskom launches power line to mitigate effect of storms on Central Karoo power supplyEskom launches power line to mitigate effect of storms on Central Karoo power supply
Read more »
Johnny Theunissen, gem of the Karoo, laird of our heartsOne of South Africa’s great characters, Johnny Theunissen, died this week after a short battle with cancer. He was 56.
Read more »
Sho't Left: Journey to Oudtshoorn and discovering the hidden treasures in the Klein KarooTravel | Sho't Left: Journey to Oudtshoorn and discovering the hidden treasures in the Klein Karoo
Read more »
Award-winning Karoo wool farmers win battle to have farms returned after government locked them outA company formed by the sons of farmworkers had to go to court to have land returned to them after a government official gave away two of their farms.
Read more »
DGB awarded third consecutive 'Best South African producer' at MUNDUS VINI Spring Tasting 2024DGB awarded third consecutive 'Best South African producer' at MUNDUS VINI Spring Tasting 2024
Read more »
Wine tasting in Johannesburg: 11 best places to stay, eat, and drinkWine tasting has become increasingly popular, with an ever-growing amount of venues to check out. Here are 11 of the top spots to enjoy wine tasting in Johannesburg!
Read more »