Under the flour-dusted apron and warm smile is Thabile Thibo Magagula, the visionary founder and CEO of Cakes by Thibo. What started as a passion for baking has grown into a small but thriving business rooted in creativity, quality and love for the craft.
Based on the belief that every bite should bring joy, Magagula has turned her kitchen into a haven of sweet indulgence producing beautifully designed cakes that are as delicious as they are memorable.
Though cakes are at the heart of her business, Magagula’s vision stretches far beyond. Cakes by Thiboalso offers a growing variety of baked goods, including cupcakes, muffins and scones, each crafted with the same care and dedication. Her ultimate goal? “To become a full-range bakery that caters to every baked delight imaginable,”shared Magagula. With a strong work ethic, an eye for detail and a heart full of ambition, Magagula is building more than just a brand but she is creating an experience.
Whether it is for a celebration, a gift or just a personal treat, Cakes by Thibo brings sweetness to every occasion. Under her leadership, this business is not just rising but it is baking to perfection. “I want to be the benchmark for excellence in cake artistry, consistently exceeding expectations and inspiring creativity,” said Magagula.
The birth of Thibo’s cakes
Magagula showed her passion towards baking and decided to turn her childhood love into a growing brand. “I developed the love for baking at a very young age,” she recalls. With only her high school savings and a few family contributions, she started small but with big dreams.
“I had a challenge of being unable to price my cakes properly. I was still new in the business, hence I incurred a loss.” But she didn’t give up. As her confidence grew, so did her business. “I decided to stop selling myself short, I priced my cakes accordingly and my business blossomed beautifully.” Thabo now creates more than just cakes cupcakes, scones, and muffins also line her menu. With ‘a positive work culture, self-care and a clean and inviting space,’ Cakes by Thibo was born not just as a business, but as a journey of growth and belief.
Although Magagula is not currently in a leadership role, she believes she would adopt a democratic leadership style.
She strongly values collective decision-making, encourages participation and collaboration and prioritises open communication. Magagula believes that involving others in the process not only leads to better outcomes but also fosters a sense of ownership and mutual respect within a team. Magagula keeps her customers happy by doing her best to deliver according to their specific needs and requirements. “I ensure they are involved and kept updated throughout the entire production process,” shared Magagula. This approach builds trust, maintains transparency and strengthens the customer relationship by showing genuine commitment to their satisfaction.
Magagula’s driving factors towards success are rooted in the belief that anything is possible when you put your mind to it and support it with prayer. She always trusts the process, knowing that even if things do not happen immediately, with faith and persistence, everything eventually falls into place just as it is meant to.
The CEO is currently reading a book titled ‘Horowits’ which was recommended by a friend.
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