ON a daily basis, the smell of freshly baked bread and buns draws the people of Nadarivatu, Dramasi, Savatu, Rewasau and Lewa to a family-run shop on the outskirts of Tavua.
This shop is owned and run by Zahera Gulnaaz of Ba, a single mother of three, who supplies bread to some of the country’s most secluded and remote communities.
But what many may describe as hard work is Zahera’s labour of love.
Today, what started out as a small community shop has doubled as a bakery that feeds hundreds of families in the area.
Zahera, 38, is a single mum who moved to Dramasi, Tavua a few years ago to start a new life for herself and her family.
Leaving behind her teaching career of nine years was not easy. Zahera knew she had to take a leap of faith in order to provide the best for her children.
She went into business in 2022, renting a small shop in Momi, Nadroga.
Running a business requires sacrifices and that’s what Zahera had to do.
With packed bags and an uncertain future, she made the bold decision to setup shop in Dramasi, Tavua.
The move was life-changing for Zahera and her family. She had to quickly learn the ropes of living in a new environment and baking – a new skill introduced to her by the previous owner of the shop.
“Before the owner left for Australia, she taught me how to bake, but as we mastered it we added our own formula,” she said.
“Apart from baking every day, I also run the shop. I bake bread and buns. We usually target those from the highlands of Nadarivatu, who travel to sell their produce at the market.
“When they go home, they want fresh bread to take back, so we make sure that bread is ready for them when they return after a busy day at the market.”
Every day, Zahera bakes 30 to 40 dozens of white loaves and 20 dozen of buns – a great feat for a single mum.
Her day starts at 2:30am, when people are still snuggled in bed.
At 3.30am the first six dozens of bread are usually ready. She then cooks her daughters’ meals, making sure her girls get something nutritious for the day.
After meal preps, she does a bit of cleaning and continues with the baking. When everything is ready, she opens up the shop for business.
“Since we do our own baking, we work according to demands from customers.
“If we notice we’re out of bread, we continue to bake. Sometimes it can go into midnight – we bake during the day and at night.
“My son helps me, he is a university student in Lautoka, so when he is around, he helps me run the business.
“He was the one that perfected the bread formula – so our bread taste different from the ones sold in Tavua. He also helps in taking care of his sisters – I’m grateful for his help.”
Since the bread and buns are popular among locals in Tavua and Nadarivatu, Zahera even supplies bread to a boarding school up in Nadarivatu.
“We take orders for Lewa school in Nadarivatu, it’s a boarding school. I appreciate their support towards our business.
“We get a lot of calls for orders, and we thank people who continue to support us”.
Zahera also gets the support of her neighbours when she needs a pair of hands at the shop.
Baking has boosted her shop sales.
“Before baking, the business used to be slow. We used to look forward to the canecutting season when a lot of canecutters would buy from the shop.
“As soon as canecutting season stopped, business would slow down again but when we started baking, the business just thrived.
“We sold something that other shops close by didn’t. So, when customers came to buy bread, they would also buy other essentials they needed.”
Her children know of her struggles. They help her when she needs a helping hand.
“I have taught my daughters of the importance of me tending to our customers and baking. They would sit quietly while I tend to customers and if I needed something they would help me.
“They sort of understand that I do this for them and their brother.”
Zahera hopes to expand their shop one day.
“We hope to have a separate bakery instead of having it inside the shop, that’s what we hope to achieve next.
“We hope to feed as many people as we can with our baked goods. We could even do different pastries in the future.
She said juggling her roles as a single mum and businesswoman was challenging but it was her love for feeding people that got her going every day.
She wants women to step into the unknown and accomplish the goals they set in life just like she did a few years back.
Zahera inside her shop which doubles as a bakery.
Picture: ANA MADIGIBULI
Zahera with her children. Picture: ANA MADIGIBULI
Zahera’s shop in Dramasi, Tavua. Picture: ANA MADIGIBULI
