Eagle Dough Buddies, a bakery founded by brothers Sipho and Believe Mavundla, has flourished through an incubation programme based at Kruger Station, a lifestyle precinct at Skukuza Main Rest Camp in the Kruger National Park.
Visitors to the precinct often leave with arms full of baked goods including crispy ciabatta, golden-brown sourdough loaves and pillow-soft bread rolls.
During South Africa’s 30th Tourism and Heritage Month, the Eagle Dough Buddies partnership is a shining example of tourism companies supporting small, black-owned businesses. This collaboration demonstrates the positive impact these partnerships can have on local economic growth.
The business of hospitality
In 2020, Motsamayi Group, which co-manages Kruger Station with SANParks, recognised the potential of the Mavundla brothers. The brothers, who ran a small bakery in Bushbuckridge, were eager to expand but lacked the resources. Motsamayi enrolled them in a business incubation programme at Kruger Station, providing training, mentorship and the tools needed to grow their business.
Under the guidance of Gavin Ferreira, Concession General Manager at Kruger Station, the Mavundla brothers learned about baking and running a successful hospitality business. From perfecting their products to meeting the demands of a high-end market and overcoming operational challenges, they have become confident entrepreneurs. “Their dedication is clear in every loaf they bake,” says Ferreira. “We’re proud to sell their bread at Kruger Station and its restaurant.”
The programme is divided into stages, each building on the brothers’ growing expertise. Although they are only halfway through, Sipho and Believe have already made a significant impression by demonstrating the potential of small, black-owned enterprises in the tourism industry.
Initially, the Mavundla brothers concentrated on mastering the art of baking high-quality artisan bread. “We experimented with various recipes and techniques to perfect our bread. We started with plain bread and scones but soon expanded to artisan varieties like sourdough, rye and ciabatta. We’re proud of how far we’ve come,” says Believe.
Impact and recognition
Aside from supplying the 3638 Restaurant and convenience store at Kruger Station, Eagle Dough Buddies also provides baked goods to Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge and other luxury safari lodges and operators in the area. Their pumpkin spice and gingerbread treats have become favourites, adding a unique twist to their impressive range of products.
“This project has transformed our lives,” says Believe. “We’re gaining exposure to international guests from all over the world – Germany, China, India and beyond.” Their family couldn’t be prouder. “They can’t stop talking about it. We were even featured on TV recently and everyone was thrilled,” the brothers share.
“The Mavundla brothers’ rise from small-town bakers to successful entrepreneurs operating at Kruger Station in the Skukuza Main Rest Camp proves the power of supporting local entrepreneurs,” Ferreira says.
A long-term investment
Jerry Mabena, CEO of Motsamayi Group, says nurturing small business owners during their start-up phase is vital to long-term success. “The Wonderful Baker Brothers show the value of investing in people and communities over the long term. This is crucial for sustainable tourism and benefits everyone: guests, industry workers and the communities they support.”
