Soshanguve residents attract customers with their impressive skills
Two years of artwork have ensured that two young men from Soshanguve continue to attract customers through their exemplary work.
Two Soshanguve residents have enjoyed support from locals through their impressive skills of turning old items such as car tires and wood into furniture.
Tshepo Mahlangu and Siyabonga Majola are two visionary businesspeople from Soshanguve block L who started a project called Itereleng that makes art come to life.
Mahlangu said it all started with a small project in his community, which was to wash rubbish bins for residents. He started the project on his own and was later joined by his friend.
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The project not only helped residents but from that, a bigger idea came about.
Mahlangu and Majola are focusing on growing their business but also wish to create employment for struggling young people in their community as they now make and sell bed bases, wine stands and couches. They also teach those interested in art how to make these items.
“We started this project because of our love for art and at the same time, we have always wanted to teach the unemployed youth who are sitting around and not doing anything that it is a waste of time when you have hands, young and creative,” said Mahlangu.
“I am a Ndebele man and I must say my culture has inspired my eye for art as well as colour coordination skills. At the same time, I have always wanted to do something that would help me put food on the table for my family,” he added.
“The response we get from people because of our craft is amazing. This has brought us so many customers from within our own community,” said Mahlangu.
His dream was to open a big shop and art gallery in his community, which would display all his artwork. He hopes he will be able to venture into this in the near future.
Majola told Record: “We started our art project with nothing in our hands, with no form of capital although we had a vision and a dream.
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“I worked for the BMW company for three years and I grew to see the quality of work they produced which also instilled a sense of good quality and patience when it comes to my craft,” Majola added.
“What pleases me the most is the amount of support we receive from our community members. They are proud of the work we do because we have all groomed most of the youth in our community and this led to a decrease in crime in our area.”
“We have created a bit of employment to those that come through to learn about our artwork. The youth have contributed so much of their time into our project especially when we are working under pressure,” said Mahlangu.
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