TIN ROOF EATS

In the bustling streets of Thembisa, many know her simply as Ausi Lenki, a name that has become synonymous with hearty meals and warm service. Her real name is Angeline Mlangeni, and she is the proud founder of Tin Roof Eats, a local food business that has grown from a small kitchen into a well-loved community staple. Ausi Lenki’s journey into business wasn’t planned, it came naturally. “I’ve always loved cooking,” she says. “I started in my mother’s kitchen, helping with catering when I was still in high school.” Over time, what began as a skill developed into a passion that would later carry her through some of life’s most difficult seasons. She started baking and supplying local stores with goods. But when her family moved to Thembisa, she found herself having to start over. “When I first came here, I had nothing. It was frustrating because I’m not used to sitting still,” she recalls. With support from her husband, who bought her a trailer, she began selling food near the construction site of the new mall. Although she wasn’t initially chosen as a vendor, she didn’t give up. “I went to them and said, ‘Taste my food!’ I believed in myself,” she says. This bold move landed her a spot on-site in August 2020, just after the first COVID-19 lockdowns were lifted. That opportunity became a major turning point for her business. “People came back because of the taste. I don’t compromise on quality,” she adds confidently. Although she was born in the Free State, Thembisa has become home. “I wasn’t born here, but now I’m definitely a Thembisan,” she says proudly.