From Humble Beginnings, Built with Love.

Behind every jar of Cindy's pickles, every bottle of sauce, and every blend of spice is a story that spans over four decades — a story of love, community, loss, resilience, and an unshakeable pride in everything that was built from the ground up.

Where It All Began

Cindy and Bala Valayadam married in 1975. Like many young couples, they both held down regular jobs — but their hearts were always elsewhere. Bala had a deep passion for farming and the land. Cindy had a gift for creating things, from sewing to cooking, and a natural talent for turning simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

In 1980, an opportunity arose that would change everything. A store on the main road became available — a modest space selling fresh vegetables and flowers. Cindy and Bala took the leap, and Umhlali Fresh Produce was born.

The Store That Became Cindy's

While Bala spent his days at the market and on the farm sourcing the finest fresh produce, it was Cindy who became the heart of the store. Customers came in for vegetables and left feeling like they'd visited a friend. Over time, they stopped asking for the store by name — they simply called it Cindy's.

Alongside the fresh produce, Cindy began selling her homemade pickles and preserves — recipes she had perfected over years of cooking with love. She opened a small kitchen in the store, serving curries made with her own special spice blend. Word spread quickly. The flavours were unlike anything you could find on a shelf.

Cindy's Fresh Produce became what it always was at heart — a true farm-to-table store, connecting the community to fresh, honest food made with care.

A Story That Caught the World's Attention

Cindy's story and her remarkable food didn't go unnoticed. She has been featured in several magazines, and the farm-to-table store caught the attention of the CNN Explore channel. Cindy was also interviewed by the celebrated author and academic Ashwin Desai — a testament to the cultural significance of what she and Bala had quietly built in their community.

Her recipes earned a place in two beloved cookbooks by Erica Platter & Clinton Friedman — Durban Curry: So Much Flavour and Durban Curry: Up Close and Personal — the iconic books that celebrate the rich curry culture of Durban, with Cindy's cooking right at the heart of it.

Community as Family

In 2007, Cindy and Bala faced the unimaginable — the loss of their beloved son, Terence. In their darkest time, it was their community that held them up. Customers who had become like family showed up, not just to shop, but simply to say hello, to sit, to be present. That outpouring of love carried Cindy and Bala through their grief and reminded them of the profound gift they had given their community — and the gift their community had given back.

Even customers who had moved abroad would make a point of stocking up on their favourites whenever they came home. Because some things — the taste of something made with real love — are simply irreplaceable.

Everything Made with Love

Today, Cindy's Home Made Pickles & Preserves carries forward everything that Cindy and Bala built — the same recipes, the same real ingredients, the same small-batch care, and above all, the same deep love for their community and pride in what they have created.

From very humble beginnings, they built something truly extraordinary. And every jar, every bottle, every packet carries a little piece of that story.

“To our customers — even as we get older, we will cherish all our moments together, and the smiles and the laughs. Thank you for your support. Through droughts, floods, Covid, and loss, you have been a pillar of strength to us, and we appreciate you all.”

— Cindy & Bala Valayadam