Rise and Shine Bakery, founded by entrepreneur Xolani Dyesha in 2012, received industrial baking equipment, a generator and 2,000 bread crates in 2019 through the Amakhala Emoyeni Community Fund Trust, which supports community enterprise development in Exxaro's host communities.
The support helped the bakery increase its production capacity and expand its distribution network.
The business was established after Dyesha identified a gap in access to locally produced bread in Adelaide. At the time, bread was transported from Gqeberha, almost 200km away, limiting access for local residents and businesses.
Dyesha subsequently converted his small shisanyama operation into a bakery, but faced challenges including infrastructure, production capacity, compliance and business management.
In 2021, the Community Fund Trust partnered with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants Enterprise Development to provide the bakery with accounting support, mentorship, governance guidance and compliance assistance.
The intervention was intended to strengthen the company's financial and operational management as it expanded.
Today, Rise and Shine Bakery supplies customers across parts of the Eastern Cape and provides employment in communities facing high unemployment.
The business also donates bread to local crèches and vulnerable households.
Dyesha says the support extended beyond the initial equipment investment. According to him, the Community Fund Trust purchased 2,000 crates, ensured the bakery's delivery vehicles were branded and provided uniforms after identifying that workers did not have them.
Neo Monareng, executive head of sustainability at Exxaro, says small businesses can contribute to local economies through employment, local supply chains and access to goods and services.
Rise and Shine Bakery is one of the businesses supported through Exxaro's enterprise and supplier development initiatives, which provide financial assistance, mentorship, business advisory services and market development support.
Exxaro is marking 20 years of its Impact Beyond the Surface programme in November.
