Quick read

• Ndawulelo Nevhulaudzi founded Doro’s Shoes Cleaning Service to gain financial independence and pursue his passion for clean footwear.
• Inspired by his cousin and AKA’s “Doro” persona, he taught himself specialised cleaning techniques using YouTube tutorials.
• He aims to expand his business into laundry, shoe repair, and partnerships with local fashion brands.

Full story

LIMPOPO – Ndawulelo Nevhulaudzi is breathing new life into dirty tekkies, one pair at a time.

The young entrepreneur from Muledane village near Thohoyandou founded Doro’s Shoes Cleaning Service, a business inspired by his love for clean tekkies and his desire to become financially independent.

“What motivated me to start this business was the need to take care of myself without relying on my parents. Since I was young, I’ve always looked for business opportunities. After finishing high school, I started selling sneakers and always had a vision of launching a shoe-cleaning service. I just didn’t know how to begin.”

The turning point came in 2021 when his cousin, Mulisa shared how he started his own cleaning business from home.

“He inspired me and showed me how to get started. That’s when I decided to begin cleaning shoes for people,” Nevhulaudzi told CV.

Although the journey has had its challenges, particularly learning how to clean different tekkie materials, Nevhulaudzi said it’s all been worth it.

“It’s not easy washing shoes, but I feel happy and fulfilled when I see the results and how satisfied my customers are.”

The name Doro’s Shoes Cleaning Service was inspired by the late South African hip-hop artist AKA, who famously called himself ‘Doro Mega’.

“I adopted the nickname ‘Doro’ in his honour, as he was one of my favourite artists and continues to inspire me,” he said.

One of his biggest hurdles was mastering how to clean various shoe fabrics, but he credits YouTube tutorials for helping him develop his skills.

“What sets my service apart is that I don’t just wash shoes in a standard way. I use specialised products and techniques to make them look brand new again.”

Nevhulaudzi says his passion for quality and customer satisfaction drives him to improve.

“I saw an opportunity to provide a convenient and affordable shoe-cleaning service that makes people’s lives easier. I’m committed to delivering high-quality results and exceeding expectations.”

Looking ahead, Nevhulaudzi has big plans for his business.

“I want to open a physical store, employ others and expand into services like laundry, shoe repair, waterproofing, and customisation. I also hope to partner with local shoe stores and fashion brands. If you create or work on something you enjoy, it becomes easier to grow and learn. That’s the key to success.”