What started as an anonymous plea for support for her small boerewors business, turned into an inspiring comeback story for the Boksburg community.
Boksburg, South Africa (19 June 2024) – Adelle Cloete turned her luck around, going from begging on the roadside to running a successful business selling boerewors rolls to hungry shoppers. She shared that she saved money that she earned while begging, with her heart set on building a more sustainable income – and her efforts paid off!
Adelle, who is from Beyers Park, shared that the family’s circumstances took a turn when her partner was retrenched from his job. With three girls to feed, she took to the streets in the hope that begging would help get them by. Adelle frequented Sydney Road near Retail Park Shopping Centre and spent about a month there while she simmered on what the next step would be.
The income she received wasn’t much but she was able to put aside a small amount each day with the hope of using it as a way out. She thought of a small business selling boerewors rolls as a way to make money and put the plan into action. Once she had saved enough, she turned to the very centre where she was begging and started selling boerewors rolls to hungry shoppers.
She anonymously posted to the Boksburg Community Support Group to share that she had saved enough to start selling food and if the community would please support her business so she could, in turn, support her family.
“Hi Boksburg Community.
I think a lot of people know me as the lady that sitting their by Checker’s Retail park with her 3 kids.
Well I’ve been saving money even if it was just R10 a day, so I can try to do something that will help with getting an income.So from tomorrow I’m going to sell boerewors rolls, and I’m just asking to please come and support us. Our location will be at the back of the retail park centre and K90 centre”
People who saw the post were in awe of her efforts and started commenting that they, too, would support her. The local Mooi River Bakery offered to donate rolls to her business, which spurred even more well-wishes for Adelle’s new venture.
The next day, the rolls arrived, as did a local news reporter from the Boksburg Advertiser, who earlier this month shared Adelle’s inspiring story, highlighting her journey through some of the toughest moments and coming out the other side.
The community really rallied to help a determined mom who wanted to do more. Donnay Groenewald went out to meet the mom and businesswoman, changing her name to the “Boksburg Boerewors Roll Lady.”
“Adelle, the Boksburg Boerewors Roll Lady, is setting up her braai and getting ready to make some lekker boerewors rolls to warm us up on this cold Friday!
She can be found on the corner of Sydney Road next to the veld behind K90 centre, sort of in between the East Rand Retail Park and the K90 Shopping Centre.
Thank you to Mooirivier Bakkery for your generous donation of 3 dozen rolls for Adelle to get her first day off to a good start!
The boerewors will be ready shortly, go do your thing Boksburg!” – Donnay Groenwald
Sources: Boksburg Advertiser / Adelle Cloete
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