‘African Reporter helped shape my future’

Kwatsaduza – Businessman James Shirinda said if it wasn’t for the African Reporter, he wouldn’t have been able to build his home and put his three children through school.
The 46-year-old local hardware shop owner started selling the paper as a vendor 11 years ago.
“I was struggling to find employment and was working odd jobs. A friend told me about the opportunity to make money by selling the paper.
“I immediately jumped at the opportunity to help supplement the little I was receiving from the odd jobs,” he said.
James said he started selling 50 copies at street corners in Langaville and soon added to the load due to the increased demand.

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“Residents loved the paper, but there were only a few places that sold it in the area. Over the years, the demand kept growing, so I moved from 50 to 100 and increased over the years.
“I now order 22 000 copies every week and employ 10 vendors,” he explained.
The profit from the sales has helped him start his hardware store.
He started by selling a few building materials and soon moved to a fully fledged hardware store.
The businessman used the same skills he applied with selling the paper to grow his business.
Today, he is reaping the benefits and aims to continue growing the business and empowering unemployed youth.
James said his recipe for the growth of his business is determination and hard work.
“I am happy that some of the vendors I started working with went on to start their own businesses and are now empowered.
“There are a few job opportunities in the country. To survive, you need to use the resources at your disposal or you will live on handouts,” he added.

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