What About The Cake?

It took her 16 hours to craft and perfect the giant-sized cake that got tongues wagging for days, with no regard for how much effort went into it.“The cake took 16 hours to bake and eight hours to decorate. It was one metre by 1,2 metres in size, a lemon-flavoured sponge cake with a lemon buttercream frosting piped in a rosette style. We used edible prints of this year's Independence Day national logo to decorate the cake,” said Shiwa. “Because of its size, we used a specially cut thick melamine board to carry the cake. It was physically, mentally and emotionally taxing, but I was blessed with the support of an amazing team of 16 who laboured tirelessly to bring this cake to life. I couldn't have pulled it off without the mentorship and guidance of my brand strategist Catherine Shipushu. She's a true gem.”For any creative, it is undoubtedly a huge honour to be selected for such an opportunity. After all Namibia's independence celebration is a big deal, and baking the cake was equally a big deal for Shiwa, who is no stranger to glamour events.“The experience was exhilarating yet nerve-wracking at the same time. From start to finish, the entire process was extremely delicate, so it was very important to exercise care with the ingredients used, proportions and most importantly technique. It's always an incredible honour to serve at such an occasion. Baking at such a platform remains the highlight of my entrepreneurial journey,” she said.Shiwa, who has become a household name in Namibia for thinking outside the box in terms of baking, said this year she would be focusing more on the confectionery side of the Shiwa The Baker brand.“We recently launched a luxury assortment of premium chocolate called LUXE Chocolates by Shiwa The Baker. The first offering to the public was on Valentine's Day for which we received amazing reviews.”So far, Shiwa The Baker has presented several masterclasses, with the majority of her students being women. She secured partnerships with Bokomo and Moir's, who have made it possible for her to take her masterclass around the country. She has also published her own recipe book, which she uses as a teaching aid.– unWrap.online

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.

The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency, while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.