South African singer Rethabile Khumalo has taken a bold step into the food business by launching her first mobile kitchen — a heartfelt project dedicated to her late mother, veteran singer Winnie Khumalo, who passed away on January 7. For Rethabile, this is more than just a new venture — it’s a way of keeping her mother’s memory alive.
Speaking to TshisaLIVE, Rethabile shared how the dream of owning a food truck began during the Covid-19 pandemic. Back then, she and her mother had purchased a food truck with the goal of selling burgers. But just as they were preparing to launch the business, tragedy struck with the passing of her mother.
“My mom and I bought a food truck and we wanted to sell burgers. We realised we could handle it on our own and when we were supposed to launch it, my mother passed away. I wanted to carry on with her wishes to open the kitchen because she always believed in my cooking and most of the things I would do,” Rethabile told TshisaLIVE.
Now, that long-awaited dream has become a reality. Rethabile officially opened her mobile kitchen just under a week ago in Protea Glen Ext 9, Cheesehood Avenue. Since then, the community has shown overwhelming support — with over 100 burgers sold and customers praising the delicious flavours.
Not only does she serve mouthwatering burgers, but she also caters to vegetarians by offering a veggie burger option. Although the demand for vegetarian food isn’t high in the area, Rethabile still makes an effort to be inclusive.
“I make sure I accommodate for everybody because it’s not only about kasi. There are people who come from far to buy my burgers and I appreciate them,” she said.
Running the business on her own has been tough, but Rethabile stays focused and dedicated. She prepares early so that customers don’t have to wait too long. “I am selling a lot. I am working alone but I believe I will get people to assist me. It gets hectic. I always make sure I push as much as I can. I don’t like to keep people waiting, so I make sure when I open the burgers are half done so when they arrive to buy I put them back on the stove.”
Looking ahead, the singer hopes to grow her business into something bigger — with branches in township malls and beyond. She wants to inspire other young women from kasi communities to dream big and believe in themselves.
“I want it to expand. I want to have branches at kasi malls to show a girl like me from kasi who is a singer can do more. I want to make my mom proud. I am willing to do anything to make my mom proud because I am the woman I am today because of her.”
