Cape Town chef hopes to establish a hotel in Khayelitsha, a lifelong dream

From being a cleaner to being a business owner, Thulisile Celesi, has his hopes set high as he envisions a hotel under his name.

In a recent interview with News24, Celesi, who is fondly known as Rhadebe or as the Cake King by his customers, mentioned that he is working towards realising his dream of becoming a hotel owner.

Celesi who is in his late 40s established in his hometown, Makhaza, Khayelitsha, and is now serving cakes to the people from his neighbourhood.

“I started making cakes for church related events and word went around. I also make muffins and scones on order,” he said.

He is now more focused on starting his own hotel after having worked in the food industry for almost 30 years.

“I began working as a cleaner back in 1987 at the Ritz Protea Hotel in Sea Point but as the years went by I was promoted to being a cook. The more I was trained in-house, the more I moved around working for other hotels in the Protea group until I became head chef,” he recollected.

But Celesi had bigger than which he said he was working hard to see become a reality.

He told the publication that he did not wish to reach old age without ever having owned his own establishment.

“It’s hard starting a business but if you work hard and do the right things you will succeed.”

While he is still cooking his hotel plan, his restaurant business, which employs and trains some of Khayelitsha’s brightest minds, a tourist attraction as more people flock to enjoy his delicious treats, cakes and scones.

“This means that my customers can enjoy their cakes for longer which is really important,” he said.

He can be reached on Facebook or on 0731938685 for those who are interested in trying out some of his delights.

Editor’s note: This man’s hunger for success and to realise his dream (of owning a hotel in the townships of Makhaza) should inspire me and you to also not give up on our dreams.

Description: From being a cleaner to being a business owner, Thulisile Celesi, has his hopes set high as he envisions a hotel under his name. The hotel will train and hire unemployed people in Cape Town.

Editor: Thato Mahlangu

Project manager: Do4SA