From Classroom to Cones: Dipuo Makapane’s Sweet Success
At just 28, Dipuo Makapane has turned her passion for desserts into a community treasure. By day, she molds young minds as a teacher; by evening, she delights patrons of Deelicious Desserts, her dessert shop on Phokoane Main Road, conveniently situated next to Zero Tolerance.
In 2024, noticing a shortage of sweet treats in her village, Dipuo tapped into a gap she knew all too well. She launched her business using savings from her teaching income, creating a menu that spans cooling ice-cream cones, rich milkshakes, fluffy waffles, made‑to‑order burgers, colourful mocktails, popcorn, and celebration cakes—catering to a wide range of cravings.
Building More Than Just a Business
Dipuo prioritized practicality: she chose a high-visibility spot on the main road, leveraged local youth employment, and embraced obstacles—like inconsistent supplier deliveries—by training her staff to “invent and produce in-house” . Her motto: “It all started with a bold move and a plan.”
Within just nine months, Dipuo began planning expansions—both in outlets and impact. She aims to launch a youth entrepreneurial training programme to amplify job creation and skill sharing in Phokoane.
A Local Star, A National Inspiration
Her story has reverberated across social media, with posts on X and Facebook celebrating her dual role as teacher and businesswoman, and commending how she brought joy and opportunity to her community twitter.com+4x.com+4x.com+4. One Facebook post reads: “Meet a talented Dipuo Makapane (28), founder of Deelicious Desserts & also a teacher by profession” startupmag.co.za+11facebook.com+11facebook.com+11.
Dipuo’s success offers bold encouragement: “African child, it’s possible!” She dubs her venture’s ethos “making dreams come true”—a testament to following dreams with purpose and perseverance.
🔍 Highlights at a Glance
- Name/age: Dipuo Makapane, 28
- Profession: High-school teacher
- Business: Founder of Deelicious Desserts on Phokoane Main Road, next to Zero Tolerance
- Offerings: Ice‑cream, milkshakes, waffles, cakes, popcorn, mocktails, burgers, and more
- Launched: 2024
- Funding: Bootstrapped with teaching salary
- Growth strategy: Local hiring + staff training, in‑house production
- Future plans: More locations + youth entrepreneurship training
Why This Matters
Dipuo’s journey underscores key lessons for small businesses and community-driven ventures:
- Start from personal need – Solve a problem you’ve experienced.
- Use available resources – Even a teacher’s salary can fuel a startup.
- Diversify offerings – Meet varied community tastes and occasions.
- Invest in people – Training locals builds loyalty and resilience.
- Combine enterprise with impact – Growth that uplifts keeps the momentum authentic.
Dipuo Makapane exemplifies a growing wave of African entrepreneurs who fuse innovation with social purpose. From classroom to cones, her story is a vibrant reminder: when you dare to dream—and to serve—sweet success can follow.