Business leaders inspire township entrepreneurs
Business leaders Linda and Khanyi Yende urged young people to embrace their hustle with pride, reminding them that financial freedom begins with bold, unapologetic action.
Entrepreneurship, especially in its humble beginnings, is often shrouded in shame. Business leaders acknowledge that young people are sometimes embarrassed to start small businesses, but with the surging unemployment rate, and limited job prospects for many in Alexandra, business leader and seasoned author Linda Yende drove the point home that people should not be ashamed of their hustle, during The Perfume Co Africa business presentation held in Alexandra on August 23. They should be proud of pursuing what they want. “The only way I can justify the decision that I made [to venture into business] is for me to be at the top. Sometimes we have big opinions of ourselves, and we often assume some things are beneath us. If it is beneath you, then come in and excel at it. Until such a time as you excel, assuming that you are too good for something is just you being big in your head.”
Read more: Alex entrepreneurs defy unemployment against all odds
Addressing the stigma often associated with selling products that people tend to undermine, Yende said many individuals choose status over financial stability. He stressed that status does not always equate to income. He cited an example, where the three-month payment he and his wife, Khanyi, received from a certain show could be matched in just one month through business. “But the status is not the same. People would rather be known as who and who from a show.”
The presentation also featured an all-women leadership team, showcasing how women are stepping into entrepreneurial roles and creating opportunities, not just to survive, but to thrive. “People can get liberated financially, and they get empowered by selling products that work and can generate income for their households,” Khanyi noted.
Referencing the recent Quarterly Labour Force Survey from Statistics South Africa, Khanyi highlighted that many people are excluded from economic opportunities due to a lack of tertiary education. “It can be anybody, as long as you know you need an income.
Also read: The life of an entrepreneurial mother in Alex
“We are choosing townships and communities we feel we can impact more. We know that in areas like this, a lot of people need that extra income. They need to have some money coming into their households. We are going to be coming to Alexandra more often.”
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