Last time I wrote about Lekale Mashego bringing Pick n Pay to Kagiso. Many local residents have welcomed the development with both hands. The franchise store will be open in September. It must be a dream come true for Mashego.
That said, it’s very unfortunate that there are elements who have attacked Mashego on social media for bringing his business venture to the township. Without casting any aspersions, I hope the critics own their businesses. They complained about big retailers coming to the township and swallowing small businesses.
No doubt, what is being raised above is a genuine concern. But why attack the local young entrepreneur, and not the big retailers and government? All that Mashego has done is to buy a franchise and bring it to the location where he resides. Anyone, including the critics, is allowed to do that. Or not?
This is nothing but a ‘pull him down’ syndrome that we sometimes, if not most times, suffer from. Instead of supporting and being happy for a young, progressive black man, we fight him for venturing into business. That’s a bad spirit. Nevertheless, I’m happy that the store will open soon.
That said, it’s interesting to note that Mashego’s sister, Hajira, has also gone the entrepreneurial route. She has left her cushy job in government, where she was a senior manager, for business. What an entrepreneurial family!
Early this year, Hajira clinched a deal to start a gym business in Zambia. However, circumstances beyond her control made it difficult for her to continue with the venture in that country. So she has sold the business to a Zambian native and will be starting a gym in Germiston soon, in partnership with a leading cellular phone company.
She is bringing a lot of experience into the business. She has worked in the national sports department for quite some time. Three years ago, she was head-hunted by the provincial sports department in Mpumalanga, which she resigned from to venture into the unknown and uncertainty.
Hajira is friendly, outgoing and bubbly. She is also ambitious, focused and assertive. Not only that, she is also well-read. She holds a degree in physiotherapy from the then Medunsa, now Sefako Makgatho University. Two years ago, she obtained her PhD.
Indeed, the Mashegos are doing it for themselves. They are showing us, particularly blacks, that it is possible to realise your dreams. They are a motivation to the local residents and the nation at large. Those who have the entrepreneurial spirit can draw strength and courage from them.
