T's Cakeland: A 'dough-lightful' journey in baking

T’s Cakeland was founded by Loide Nangombe in 2021, whose inherent love for baking was fuelled by her aunt who taught her the basics. She later advanced her skills by watching YouTube videos.

The health information dystems management honours student at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) is an Okahao native.

She grew up with her parents and two siblings, whom she bestowed her very first sweet-tooth experience.

“It started off as a hobby – I would only make cakes for family and friends. However, as my culinary creations improved over time, I realised I could turn my passion into a source of income. This decision was driven by a desire to alleviate the financial burden on my parents, who had always been there to support me.”

She said T's Cakeland’s mission is to harness the power of diverse communication channels on social media and various communication platforms, to propel the growth of the business, paving the way for franchising.

Nangombe firmly believes in the universal language of food, which has the remarkable ability to bring people from all walks of life together.

“Through our pastries, we aspire not only to unite individuals, but also to empower the dependent to become self-reliant,” she said.



Vision and commitment

What makes T’s Cakeland different from the ordinary bakery is Nangombe's investment in the finest quality ingredients, making sure she delivers the utmost quality in all her products.

She envisions establishing a strong and thriving presence in Windhoek, becoming a beloved and integral part of the community. Additionally, she wants the business to expand beyond borders by franchising the concept, spreading the joy of T's Cakeland to a wider audience.

“We want to make our delectable treats accessible to people far and wide. Each order is a work of art!”

T's Cakeland's clients are anyone and everyone who loves baked goods. The business can be reached on WhatsApp at 081 345 5536 or on its Instagram page @ts_cakeland for orders.

“We are also working on our website which I believe will be much more convenient for our customers," she added.



Navigating challenges and creating masterpieces

In the fast-paced world of baking and crafting intricate confections, Nangombe admitted that she also faces hurdles at times. She indicated that her key strategies to tackle them are preparation and adaptability, emphasising that having a well-planned schedule will not only help keep her orders in check, but also prevent her from biting off more than she can chew.

She noted that there are times when design requests from clients seem almost overwhelming, pushing the boundaries of her creative and technical abilities. In these moments, she invests time in refining and perfecting the design, ensuring that when the moment comes to bring it to life, it's a masterpiece that meets her customers’ expectations.

“A case in point was when a client of mine placed an order for a cake that, to younger me, appeared utterly impossible to tackle. Rather than shying away from the challenge, I embraced it as an opportunity. This decision set in motion the domino effect that propelled me to my current position as a skilled baker.”

Nangombe's advice to budding bakers is this: “When your overall goals seem daunting, always focus on the next, be it the next order, idea or anything at all. Just focus on the next!”