Glimmer of hope for two east women amid Covid strife
Despite challenges posed by the lockdown on the economy, the two women from the east of Pretoria were able to start their own business without any capital in place but just a mere dream.
At a time when some small businesses had shut their doors due to financial pressures bought by the lockdown, two Pretoria east women started a catering business without any capital and continue weathering the storm in unstable economic times.
The story of the two mothers, Busisiwe Jaxa and Ntokozo Manzi, who have been unemployed for years, and started a business during lockdown without having a cent for capital, has become that of resilience and motivation to many in Silverton, east of Pretoria.
Speaking to Rekord, Manzi who was retrenched in 2018, said the idea of the business was birthed during difficult times in their lives. They were frustrated at not being able to get jobs and having doors shut in their faces while having children to take care of at home.
The pair started their catering business in August last year, which was ironic as several businesses had closed down, experiencing a hike in Covid-19 infections.
“When we started the business a lot of people did not have money. We asked many to loan us money so we could just get off the ground but no one was in the position to help. We then decided to sell some of our home appliances such as washing machines and some clothes so we could get some money,” she said.
“We faced a lot of challenges but we had no place to fall back on. We had to start something with the hope that it will assist us to provide for our children and get financial freedom.”
Manzi said although many of their relatives were not in a position to financial pitch-in , they embraced their project by offering their services to see the business getting off the ground.
“The moment we started working towards our dream, born out of frustration of being unemployed, our families and friends started helping. Others came to fix the place (business place), others helped with designing logos and some helped with getting chairs.
“The support was really important.”
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For her business partner, Jaxa, the business was a breakthrough to healing and realising one’s passion.
“After four years of staying at home and being unemployed, I could feel depression creeping in. Staying at home was becoming unbearable and it started to feel like a prison,” she explained.
“I even forgot the love I had for people. I was always locking myself alone in my house. Sometimes I would not even feel comfortable being outside for too long – I would rush home to be alone.
“Having established the business, I had a sense of freedom and healing,” she said.
The pair believed that although the businesses faced several challenges they would not be able to give up.
“People from our community are supportive. At the beginning things were hard but we had to keep on pushing. We started small, advertising on the road just telling people that we sell food to now having signage and a growing customer base the business’ growth is motivating.”
As the lockdown saw many losing jobs, Manzi appealed to those who lost their jobs not to lose hope but to push until something happened.
“Covid-19 outbreak has humbled a lot of us into understanding that there is no job that is too small but to know that all jobs are important,” she said.
“Secondly, as a small business, we are still standing because of our community. From school children to the working class and families that come offer support and see us growing.”
Manzi said their business was located just opposite the Silverton primary school and most of their clients were the little ones.
Jaxa said the two wished for their business to grow so that it could assist many other unemployed women.
“There are times when you will find that some women struggle to afford a loaf of bread or sanitary pads. We wish to grow to empower those women because we know what it’s like not having much to go on with.
“We want to be able to feed the homeless. Our society is in shambles and a lot of people need hope,” she concluded.
People who would like to contact the two women can do so on; 063 925 0838
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