This month, we're very aptly focusing on the mums of Rosetta, and first up is a mother and one of our beloved chef's, Olwethu Mavuso! Carry on reading to learn more about Olwethu's journey with us, handling the kitchen with grace and why she isn't playing pro soccer anymore.
ROSETTA: Introduce yourself to us and tell us what you do at Rosetta / how long have you been working there?
OLWETHU: My name is Olwethu Mavuso; I'm 29 and was born in Cape Town, Khayelitsha. I was raised by a single parent and went to primary and high school in Khayelitsha. I went to Northlink College in 2011 and started to work at Rosetta in November 2020 — so it's been plus-minus six months, if I'm counting correctly.
ROSETTA: What are some of the best things about being a part of the Rosetta team?
OLWETHU: One of the best things about Rosetta is that they give us a platform to grow. As much as I came in as a pastry chef (I was just baking), they gave me a platform to manage the kitchen. I'm proud to say — I'm the kitchen manager — both Sindy and myself, we place our orders to the big stores and then take the kitchen decisions and try to resolve issues ourselves before we go to Rob and Tim, this is, of course, unless it is a big issue.
I'm also grateful for the team that we are working with! We are like family; we help each other, listen and help one another. I'm also starting to learn more about coffee, I didn't even drink coffee when I began at Rosetta, but now once a day, I drink coffee, go upstairs to the coffee shop, make my own coffee and learn more about coffee! I have the platform to explore!
ROSETTA: Do you have any other passions, hobbies, special skills? Are you a parent? We want to know about your life outside your current job!
OLWETHU: I'm a mother of one lovely daughter, married to a lovely husband; I also take care of my mother, who stays separately.
I enjoy life. I make sure that I enjoy life to the fullest. I make sure to go out and experience new things — like climbing Table Mountain, going to restaurants, taking a boat.
The other thing that I want to do is to skydive! How I wish I could do that! But that's the kind of person I am. I'm willing to learn. I'm a go-getter. I make sure that I get what I want. I love to talk (laughs), and I most definitely love to sing.
ROSETTA: Has the pursuit of excellence in one passion helped you to pursue excellence in another?
OLWETHU: I'm passionate about cooking. I love cooking and singing. As much as I'm not a good singer, I enjoy combining the two. When you do that, you'll have the best meal (laughs).
My hobbies include soccer and anything that makes you physically fit — like the gym. I used to play soccer and went to the United States in 2010 for this. In 2011 I had a car accident, and I couldn't play anymore. This is why I do what I do and am not playing professionally.
Another skill I have is sewing. My mum is a seamstress, and I help her sew traditional attire. I also went to school for this. I thought that I would quit cooking and maybe help my mum, but I ended up being a top student in my course and realized that I didn't enjoy working with her. I enjoy being a chef, and I went back to doing that.