His complex of opportunities
AFTER spending a great deal of time looking for jobs on street corners in Tzaneen, Polokwane and Johannesburg, a 50-year-old man decided to take his destiny into his own hands and create an opportunity that will benefit his family and community.
LIMPOPO – AFTER spending a great deal of time looking for jobs on street corners in Tzaneen, Polokwane and Johannesburg, a 50-year-old man decided to take his destiny into his own hands and create an opportunity that will benefit his family and community.
Petrous Mangena of Ga-Wallie village outside Tzaneen has not only changed his life for the better, he can now put food on the table for himself and his relatives.
Mangena says he worked for African Bank for almost 30 years, when he was retrenched in 2000 and left stranded without an income.
Thanks to his determination to succeed, he is now the proud owner of the June and July Shopping Complex, which comprises a brickyard, a furniture shop and a huge kraal, where he breeds sheep, goats and pigs.
Mangena has created jobs for more than 20 people from around the area.
He says that he gives preference to women, people living with disabilities and young people when he appoints his workers.
“I wanted to make a difference in people’s lives. I wanted to become someone who changes the lives of others for the better,” says Mangena.
Phisang Malatji from Mogapeng village near Lenyenye and Mahlase Phahlane of Ga-Chuene outside Lebowakgomo, who are renting space at the complex, say they sell pivot, garage and sliding doors made of wood.
“We make the doors ourselves and we sell them cheaply. They sell like hot cakes.
“We have contracts with local people and are in communication with government departments to do business with them.
“With the money that we earn, we are able to put bread on the table for our families and to pay our children’s school fees.
“With some financial injections from government we believe we will be able to make a difference in our communities,” the pair said.
