By Samantha Sumani
MOST people do not take dreams seriously but Richard Njewa, who works at Shamva Gold Mine it is a different story.
In 2005, he had a dream, and in that dream, he was told that he was going to become a well-known baker.
In 2008, he decided to turn the dream into reality and started baking buns but in the process, he also had another dream.
“When I was baking buns, I had another dream where I saw bread ovens. So I started baking bread,” he said.
At first, he would bake 60 loaves of bread a day. He was operating from home until Shamva Gold Mine gave him a space to carry out his business. The company went on to give him an even bigger space to build a shop this year, which is very rare in mining compounds.
Initially he would produce 100 loaves a day but now he produces 600 loaves and he expect to do more because current production is failing to meet demand. “Ndinoita 600 loaves pa day dzichitopera.”
Njewa said that he would like to get to 1000 loaves a day but the ovens are not enough since he makes the ovens on his own. He also faces challenges of shortage of flour although his business is registered.
Njewa uses firewood to fire his oven and at times, he said it is difficult to get permission from the Forestry Commission to get firewood.
Njewa started working with his family without any employees but he now has three employees and if he gets enough machinery, he may accommodate eight workers.
His word of encouragement to other people who want engage in business is that they should identify their talent first then implement it, even if it takes time.
