In the heart of Boikhutsong Village in the North West Province, a young black woman is turning her passion for cooking and baking into a growing business that feeds both the community and her dreams. Emily Diphoko, the founder and owner of Botlhale Tumi Projects, is proving that determination, creativity, and love for food can build something meaningful.

Emily officially started and registered her business in 2025, motivated by her deep passion for preparing delicious meals and baked treats. What began as a personal love of cooking has grown into a small business serving a variety of customers in her community and surrounding areas.

Botlhale Tumi Projects offers a wide range of homemade foods that many people enjoy. Emily prepares:

• Homemade food plates
• Platters
• Sandwiches
• Burgers
• Sphatlho
• and hot dogs.

She also serves popular local favourites such as:

• Braai dikilana (gizzards), maotwana (chicken feet),
• Fish, russian sausages, and chips.

In addition to these savoury meals, Emily also bakes delicious homemade cookies, which have become a favourite among her customers.

Her business caters to different groups within the community. Emily provides food for nurses, teachers, and community members, as well as for events such as parties, weddings, and funerals. She also targets pubs and taverns, making her meals accessible to a wide range of people. She can also be booked for catering at events.

What makes Emily’s food stand out is not just the variety she offers, but the care and love she puts into every meal she prepares. She believes that good food should not only satisfy hunger but also bring comfort and joy to those who eat it. Her unique way of preparing food, combined with her passion for cooking and baking, gives her dishes a special touch that keeps customers coming back.

Running a business in a village is not always easy, but Emily’s determination continues to push her forward. Through Botlhale Tumi Projects, she hopes to grow her business, reach more customers, and inspire other young people—especially young women in rural communities—to follow their dreams and turn their talents into opportunities.

Emily Diphoko’s journey is a powerful reminder that with passion, hard work, and belief in oneself, small ideas can grow into successful businesses that uplift the community.

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Profile compiled by Kamogelo Makgaka, Marketing Officer, NWDC