25th April 2025
Sello Motseta
Nestled amongst a cluster of commercial offices with garages, shopping malls and a quiet, unique suburban offering residential housing almost a stone throw from Kgale View Mountain which provides the highest point in Gaborone, the bustling central business district of Botswana is home of Cater – a full service catering company which celebrated 5 years of existence. It is remarkable that the business was initiated during COVID-19 was initiated by a teacher with over 14 years experience in the food industry..
It gives some life and resonance to the old adage that with adversity – there also comes an opportunity.
Whilst the world almost stood still as it faced an unprecedented global scourge Shirley Johannes refused to dwell on the negative circumstances and instead elected to identify a simple but enduring business opportunity. Today she celebrates 5 years in an industry which seemed unimaginable at inception.
“I started in November 2020 during COVID-19 with my own money,” said Shirley Johannes, Founder and Director of Crater Catering Company a rising star in the local catering business.
Johannes has grown in leaps and bounds from humble beginnings running a small business at home to graduating to an independent facility hosting the bludgeoning business. A teacher by profession who plied her trade at Gaborone West Community Junior Secondary School she has grown quickly.
“Cater Creators is not just a business, it is a partner to your catering needs, and we do so diligently, rooted in traditional values, but also rising to modern standards and ways of doing things,” said Johannes.
She said, “And talking about standards, we adhere to top class health and hygiene standards in our business as an obligation of quality for our valued customers. We understand that as a standard, food has to be prepared in a safe and clean environment.”
Johannes believed that it was critical at this historical juncture to relaunch the business operation as well as to celebrate the important milestone of developing these operating facilities that promise to facilitate its catering services and allow us to provide value to our clients.
“I have to mention that everyone that is here today has had a lasting impact on this business from inception to where we are now, and it is an honour to be in your presence to demonstrate to you how the business has grown and share this milestone with you,” said Johannes.
Organizations are getting creative and innovative with food for work and Crater is no different with a whole host of solutions for their dietary and complementary of individuals on the GO.
- Grab-n-go meals: Individually packaged and easy to eat, these lunches are compatible with those professionals with busy schedules and dining “al desko.”
- Employee meal programs: Offered daily or weekly on a set schedule, work lunches encourage office attendance — and companies like Crater are taking note.
- Food stalls: Varying dietary offerings and allowing customers to enjoy a meal from a new place at an affordable price can engage employees especially if it is in a locality near to them.
Crater has realized that more and more companies and individuals are no longer relying on traditional restaurants to fulfill their corporate food needs. And when Batswana decide to think outside the box and make strategic operational shifts, to suit their lifestyles as they host office parties, wedding receptions and attend funerals – Crater is the preferred partner of choice.
Most Batswana are busy and often do not have time for example to cook for loved ones at weddings or funerals. They have therefore begun to outsource these services to companies like Crater.
Aligning restaurants’ menus with what local stakeholders want is a step toward winning over business, but there’s more ground to cover. Convenience and reliability are two other big priorities for diners. Crater has therefore begun to deliver catering services to venue’s of clients choice.
Catching up on current trends is an important first step toward a big goal of Crater as it furthers its local footprint: leveraging new food-for-work opportunities to capitalize on high-value business customers.
