Kempton’s Hlazo sells his plants to enrich the youth’s lives

Mbuyiseli Hlazo (35) aims to cultivate the lives of the youth, not just plants.

Hlazo has dedicated his time to enriching and uplifting poor and unemployed youth through his plant business.

Rather than simply providing food to the youth, the Norkem Park man empowers the youth through training to create skills.

“I had a dream of starting businesses that will help with welfare in our communities.

“As we have seen in the past, sponsors are not permanently out in the communities. I am passionate about charity and making Africa a better place.

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“I believe our youth needs skills and opportunities more than handouts,” said Hlazo.

His love for plants started at a young age.

“I used to clean our yard at home and neighbours would also ask for my service at a small fee. It grew from there to a nursery which became a reality after I came across children who could not get proper meals. That was when I decided to expand to veggies and herbs.

“I am not just an entrepreneur but a welfare entrepreneur. I am motivated by the poverty and idling of our youth in our communities.

“I want them to acquire skills and be able to get opportunities in our economy.

“That is why we have started a programme that teaches children about registering companies, financial statements using accounting packages and Swahili, so they can trade in Africa.

“We expose them to things like lunch at a mall and we also had bikers (Team Black and Yellow) who came as speakers to our event.

“For them to see that there are finer things out there makes them work hard. We have also planned a trip to Durban and three children will fly to Durban – this number will also depend on sponsors. We would like it to be more than three.

“We work to ensure the youth participates in economy and be better beings in our communities,” said Hlazo.

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