By: Lungisa Somtombo
As youth unemployment is at a high level in the country, especially in the province, entrepreneurship is encouraged as it will allow business owners to create employment. Small township business owners from around the Buffalo City Metro have a better chance at creating employment as their businesses received working equipment and machinery at Mdantsane Sun today.
Small-Medium Business Enterprises that received working equipment and machinery were hawkers in Qumza highway, car wash owners from King Williams Town, Mdantsane and Zwelitsha, Salon owners and dry cleaning services owners.
When giving thanks during the handover, Amalinda Businesswoman and Growing Free Laundry and Dry Cleaning owner Amanda Manyika said South Africans need to support local businesses as buying fat cakes from a local hawker will allow the hawker to send her children to school, same children who can become doctors and work for local hospitals one day.
Manyika expressed that what happened is very empowering and it should continue to happen. She added that she received laundry equipment, irons, dry cleaning machine, steamers and she is very happy.
“It’s actually empowering seeing that the municipality recognises your vision and is behind your ideas. This also allows us as young business owners to employ and empower others,” she said.
Hlumela Vuyelwa Langa who owns LaVeeDaVee Beauty and Hair Salon started her salon business at the backyard of her home in Mdantsane. Langa always wanted to have her own salon one day as she first rented a mirror in one of the salons in Oxford Street in East London.
“I rented a mirror in two salons on Oxford Street, after that I wanted to grow personally and in business. I have always wondered if I could do this on my own. I opened my own salon in Vincent and we do all kinds of hairstyles and nails,” she said.
Langa’s salon has grown and has five employees. She said is planning to hire more as the equipment she received from the municipality is for a children’s salon.
“I am excited because this is a new challenge and I love children. It’s an exciting challenge,” said Langa.
Handing over the equipment, Buffalo City Metro Municipality Executive Mayor Xola Pakati said this is aimed at growing township economy. Their job is to give support to these businesses so they can grow.
Acting General Manager of Trade and Industry Development Xolelwa Majiza said businesses send applications to the municipality for whatever they need help with in order for their businesses to grow, we are here to handover those machineries.