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Gugu Mazibuko is a pastry chef and entrepreneur currently located in Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, although things may seem smooth sailing now, the journey of becoming “Gugu the Baker” wasn’t all that easy.

After matriculating in 2013 Gugu kept close the idea of going to university and pursuing science at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal. During that time of attending at University of Kwa Zulu Natal (UKZN) Gugu had decided that science wasn’t quite his passion, and chose to pursue a career in hospitality which, needless to say is quite the contrast from science.

Adamant that his passion would take him to the top, Gugu had endured trials of registering and de-registering across hospitality schools, moving away from home and experiencing financial difficulties. After studying to become a pastry chef, Gugu had secured a place to finish his practical’s as a trainee – at the Durban ICC, under Chef S’khumbuzo to which he owes much of his knowledge in the cake decorating and baking industry to.

Although a pastry chef by profession Gugu possessed an enthusiasm for cake decorating (which he had no formal training of), and had learnt through videos off YouTube. Returning home (Ulundi) in 2016 he decided to take the risk and open his own business with no funding and just a poster and a few pictures of cakes he had done – that he had posted on Facebook, shortly after that in search of greater challenges and a wider market he moved to Pietermaritzburg, since then the business has been prosperous and expanding.

“Till this day the business has been self-funded”, says Gugu. With no formal training as a cake decorator Gugu’s strategy remains “enticing them with what you see and then with what you taste”. With his cakes being so attractive to devour, Gugu also focuses intricately on the flavours produced in his cakes ending up with the all rounded result of delicious flavours and detailed decoration.

“I don’t like the idea of employees, I want to work with people that push their passion so that we can help each other “, explains Gugu when asked about his future prospects, among others he is working to one day become an international brand, “thinking big shouldn’t be limited”.

It’s much more than mixing ingredients, placing it into the oven and piping a cake, creativity and imagination goes into it, his creativity goes beyond book knowledge and what he has been trained to do, its raw creativity. The fact that people have been willing to travel many miles and distances speaks volumes about his work. Gugu stresses the importance of excellence, “it actually makes your life easier”. When asked what sets him apart from the rest Gugu responded confidently, “I’m good at what I do; people are shaken by the fact that I’m actually a guy and more so that I’m actually this good at this age, one year and seven months into the business”. Gugu plans on “achieving nothing but greatness this year “he shares.

Through hard work and possessing tunnel vision towards his future Gugu has been able to build his name and his brand by being highly ranked and established here in Pietermaritzburg, he advises beginners to ask people who have been in the game before to mentor them through their journey, it can be cut throat out there but the right leadership, ambition and willingness to learn can get you far.