The Olifants News Edition 59

Turning a side hustle into a thriving business

By Dumisani Hlatswayo

She was now only left with the business and had to focus on it fulltime, which significantly grew from then on.

Evenwith a steady job, you can still pursue your passion as a side hustle and succeed.

Nompumelelo Mkhumbene’s decor business bears witness to this. She was born in Thokoza in the East Rand but currently resides in Thembisa.

A few years later, she did her matric at Tembisa High School and obtained her Bcom Accounting from Unisa.

“The name of my business is Lelo’s Events and Decor. We offer event planning services, equipment hire, and catering,” she explains. The busi ness is based in Thembisa, but they do travel.

At Lelo’s Events and Decor, they mostly do decor for baby show ers, bridal showers, weddings, and unveilings.

Mkhumbene started her business in 2018 while still working for a telecommunications company. She started it as a side hustle to generate more income for the family. Unfor tunately, she got retrenched in 2020 due to Covid.

She always wanted to turn her hobby into something that would generate income for her as she is a creative person and enjoys coming up with new ideas and ways to do things.

As she started, she would follow events companies on social media to see all the equipment, cookery, and glasses they used and to find out which decor styles were trend ing. After comparing prices, she was ready to purchase her first items in small quantities.

Her business gets clients mostly from referrals from previous clients they serviced before and others from social media. The standard price for birthday party decorations is R3500; terms and conditions apply.

Her prices are tailored according to the client’s specific needs. She has a catalogue potential clients can use to select decors.

As her business thrives, the mom preneur has so far employed three people on a full-time and two oth ers on a part-time basis.

Mkhumbene would like to see

the business maintain sustainable growth as the unemployment rate is too high, and small businesses like Lelo’s Events and Decor cre ate employment for the youth. She advises up-and-coming entrepre neurs to start with what they have, where they are, and with the people around them.”Don’t wait for funders, business loans or investors.

There’s so much red tape with get ting funding.” she shares.

According to Mkhumbene, there is a significant demand for decor ser vices as people celebrate milestones in their lives each day, and that is where the need for decor services comes in.

In June 2018, Mkhumbene fell pregnant with her daughter at the time. She and her partner were pre paring for her baby shower.

“So I told him that he must not hire someone for decor; I’ll do my decor at my baby shower,” she tells The Olifants.

She giggles as she recalls that the baby shower came out perfectly but had to act surprised when the guests arrived, as baby showers usually are a surprise.

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Washing shoes for cash

Miss Tembisa 2022 crowning is here

By Staff Writer

The grand finale of the Miss Tembisa Pageant 2022 is only a month away. The pageant takes place each year to crown a beauty queen who will serve her commu nity. Communities in and around Thembisa are invited to come in their numbers to witness the spec tacular event.

According to Mohau Matinketsa, one of the organisers, the grand finale will be held on 12 November 2022 at the Kempton Park Civic Center, Pre toria Road, and C.R. Swart Road in Kempton Park from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

There will be a red carpet session before the event begins, and those attending are encouraged to dress up in colours such as blue, gold, grey, white, purple, or silver.

The pageant is in partnership with Hope Live Radio and Mbono Media.

Puleng Malete

Another organiser, Kabelo Kga phola, told the Olifants News: “The theme for the day is “Reach for the

Tembisa - Sethopane Kodibona (33) from Tembisa started an unconventional business washing shoes for cash. Kodibona started his business in 2017 after years of unemployment. Employment is hard to find in Tembisa and the surrounding areas and this affected the entire household and it is what drove Kodibona to start this type of a business to make a living. “No one is working at home, one day I saw a guy washing shoes for cash I took the idea and started my own business so that I can

Clayville Creates ment f

Stars” which is combined with the theme of the year “Like a Phoenix, I Rise” with the hashtag #Royalty. So dress up and show that you are royalty that will rise like a phoenix and shoot for the stars.”

– Joblessness is high in South Africa but for Dennis Vundla (29) this was not game over as he found a niche in his community and started a laundry business to make a living. Vundla, a resident of Clayville Ext 26, started his business in 2016.

Clayville

According to the organisers of the event, there will be performances by local artists. The VIP ticket costs only R250 and includes meals and drinks. Children older than five must pay for a ticket since they will need to secure a seat. All tickets are non-refundable.

be able to feed my family, said Kodibona. Kodibona makes about R200 on a busy day which is on weekends mostly, he charges his customers according to shoe size kids pay R10 and adults R25 and all suedes shoes are R35. “My clients are the community, police, nurses and everyone who would love to support my business is welcome. Kodibona uses a big board which he places by the main road to market his business. “My wish is to see my business grow and employ other people, who are unemployed like me, said Kodibona

This year’s sponsors for the pag eant are Straightline Pharmacy, MSC Business College, Maglow

“I have always wanted to be an entrepreneur, I noticed that most people in Clayville are the working class and don’t have time to do chores and their laundry, so I started a laundry company and merged it with house cleaning,” said Vundla. Eyethu Hygiene is currently providing employment to 3 people and has a monthly turnover of about R12 000. “The business can sustain itself, however I want it to grow even more,” said Vundla. Eyethu Hygiene provides a number of services including Wash, Iron, Folding and house cleaning. Eyethu’s clients range from businesses to households. Vundla’s long term plan is to see the co panding and providing more employment opportunities. “I want to see my businesses growing with branches in other areas

will in turn provide employment to the youth of South Africa,” said Vundla.

SAPS Crime Alert for Oakmore

Staff Writer

Clayville artist releases a new smashing single

Oakmore

By Staff Writer

Clayville’s artist Mabless (real name Blessing Dikotla) is about to set the stage floor ablaze with his new mapiano smash ing sigubhu this festive season. His new song combines Bacardi and Sgija and has an amapiano groove.

“It’s basically to say you don’t need to neglect your spiritual being when the fun is mentioned, hence the term “Idlozi” which means ancestors, is ref erenced a lot in Sgubhu,” Mabless

tells Olifants News about the mes sage behind the song.

Mabless says he is in the process of releasing his first EP Project. His fans should lookout an entire album or EP around 2023 between Febru ary and March.

- High unemployment in South Africa is one of the major factors leading to an increase in crime rate. The SAPS in Olifantsfontein have recently released a statement alerting residents of crimes that are happening in Oakmore. Community members are advised to stop walking alone in the late hours because they might be victims of armed robbery and rape. The SAPS says motorists are advised not to park at the old Pretoria road next to Oakmore, rather they park at the nearest garage to avid being victims of crime. According to Constable Mokete Serakwana Communication Officer Olifantsfontein SAPS Oakmore has become a crime hotspot for criminals, many crime cases have been reported that happened in that area so it is best to avoid it especially at night.“We are urging the community members to take our crime alerts into consideration to avoid being victims of crime,” said Constable Serakwana.

A year ago, Mabless set the music scene ablaze with his new single, Mama Kea Leboga (Thank You, Mama). The song is a dedication to his late mother, who passed away in 2018. While most of his songs are hip-hop, but Mama Kea Leboga sounds different. In this song, he fea tures the Ruddyliscious Family from Bolobedu. The beat was produced

by Dj Sunco, the hitmaker of Koko Matswale. As October is a mental illness month, Mabless encourages everyone not to shy away from seek ing professional help. “Every day in our black communities we lose heroes who succumb to this illness. Just because we grow up knowing indoda ayikhali,” he says. You can contact Mabless on the below social media platforms.

TikTok: MablessMusic Facebook page: MablessMusic Instagram: MablessMusic Twitter: Mabless1 Email: Info@siphomagosamedia. co.za

which

Dennis Vundla (29) owner of Laundry Services

Hair, Golden House Beauty Bar, Sbahle Events and Bath Salts, Travelnarine, Elite Beauty, Ten31 Creations, and Khumbu’s Fabrics. Mohau said they are still searching for more sponsors. Eight finalists

were selected from the semifi nalist round. Their final scores and stage performances deter mine who will walk away with the crown.

How will interest rates affect you?

There are two concepts that one needs to consider.

First is the Repo Rate, where banks can borrow money from the South African Reserve Bank. The current Repo Rate is 6.25%. The second consideration is the Prime Rate, the interest rate banks charge their cus tomers on credit products such as home loans. The current prime rate is 9.75%.

So, why are interest rates rising?

The Reserve Bank, which meets six times a year, uses interest rates to manage inflation. Inflation is sim ply how much a weighted basket of goods and services, such as groceries and petrol, goes up from one period to another.

The changes are expressed in per centages, and since South Africa’s inflation target is between 3% and 6%, the Reserve Bank’s mandate is to maintain this target range. Currently, South Africa’s inflation rate is 7.6%.

consumer?

If you have credit, whether secured or unsecured, and the interest rate goes up, your monthly repayment will also go up. For example, an R1 mil lion bond repayment will cost about R485 more per month now that the interest rate has gone up by 0.75%. This will, unfortunately, limit your spending as goods cost more.

Below are some quick tips for managing the strain of rising inter est rates on your pocket:

1. Keep track of what you spend. See where your money goes and if there are ways to cut back on some expenses you don’t have to. For instance, you could spend less on takeaways and treats and put that money toward your bond or other credit. Use tools like the Track your Spend feature on the FNB App.

as groceries, fuel, and toiletries.

4. Food prices have gone up in the last few months, so look for ways to save money on food, like buying non-perishables once a month and creating a weekly menu from the pantry, then only buying a few fresh things every week.

The good thing about the interest rate cycle is that if you have savings, such as emergency savings or live off the interest from cash investments, the interest on these savings should also go up. This means more inter est will be earned, so more interest will be paid monthly.

By Staff Writer

Interest rates have increased sev eral times in the last few months in South Africa, and it looks like

they will keep rising for the foresee able future. So, this begs the question: what are interest rates, why are they rising, and how do they affect you?

What are interest rates?

The high inflation is due to several issues, but the main one is the rise in oil and agriculture commodity prices like wheat and sugar. This means it costs more to transport goods and produce necessities such as food.

What does this mean for the

2. Move your credit debit order as close as possible to the date you get your income. This way, you’ll know that your debit order has been paid and won’t have to worry about keeping money aside for the rest of the month.

3. Look at other ways to free up cash, such as using your loyalty programmes, like eBucks, to supple ment your necessary expenses, such

If you free up cash via the tips above or the increase in interest paid on cash investments, think about using that to pay off any expensive credit you may have, saving for an emergency, or putting towards your longer-term goals, such as retirement savings.

Keep track of your budget and spending using the FNB Smart Bud get on the FNB App.

The breast cancer scare

By Dumisani Hlatswayo

The month of October is ded icated to breast cancer awareness. The founder of Miss Confidence and aboVEnormal, Masingita Masunga, had a breast can cer scare early this month.

“I had a breast cancer scare at the age of 43, the same age my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer 25 years ago. I couldn’t afford to go for a check-up. What affected me the most mentally was the fact that I couldn’t afford to be sick, both financially and emotionally. As a family, we had already gone through this trauma, especially because my mother had to retire at that age as the disease made her incapacitated for a very long time,” recalled Masingita.

“Fortunately, through the help of a friend, I managed to see a doctor, and I don’t have cancer. The waiting period was one of the worst in my life. It was mental torture. For this reason, abOVEnormal is in partnership with fitness and wellness practitioners to make fitness and wellness affordable and accessible to everyone, every where, through our wellness centres,”

she added.

Masingita continues to be a beacon of hope for many people, especially young people with disabilities. Her story has inspired many people not to let any setbacks life throws their way determine their future.

Masingita earned her stripes in the media by presenting TV shows for Soweto TV and DS TV. This led to her starting Masingita Masunga Media, a diverse media company committed to delivering dynamic and engaging content.

Know the signs of breast cancer:

● New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit).

● Thickening or swelling of part of the breast.

● Irritation or dimpling of breast skin.

● Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast.

● Pulling in the nipple or pain in the nipple area.

● Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood.

● Any change in the size or shape of the breast.

● Pain in any area of the breast.

For information about how to stay mentally and physically fit, contact 0662854298.

By Staff Writer

MMC for Health and Social Development Cllr Char lotte Zitha has introduced patients to the Central Chronic Med icines Dispensing and Distribution (CCMMD) programme.

The CCMDD programme was introduced by the National Depart ment of Health in 2014 to expand and foster simple access to chronic medication.

MMC Zitha told patients at the clinic that the free collection system is for registered patients who can now access their medication from a con venient outlet or pick-up point.

Patients may pick up pre-packaged medication at pharmacies accredited by the National Health Department, such as Clicks, DisChem, Medirite, and Pick ‘n Pay.

“To reduce the number of people queuing at clinics, certain patients have automatically had their pre scriptions extended and do not need to return to the clinic for their review, ‘’ Cllr Zitha pointed out.

MMC Zitha further encouraged patients to abide by the storage requirements of their medication and to take their medication as advised by their healthcare practitioners.

The member of the mayoral com mittee has committed to undertaking such unannounced visits to local health facilities in an effort to pro mote professionalism at the clinics and good health care.

City of Ekurhuleni MMC for Health and Social Development Cllr Charlotte Zitha.

Catering is her passion

lady is your go-to person when need ing a caterer.

Rodzula Khashane is the owner of a catering business called Muzwali wa Mbeu. They offer a wide range of platters and cater to any event. The 31-year-old entrepreneur was born and raised in a small township called Shoyandima in Limpompo but now lives in Noordwyk in Midrand. She studied financial management before embarking on her business adventure.

from R350 onwards and are deter mined by the size and type of event. She also provides a delivery service at a price depending on the client’s location.

Did you know?

By Dumisani Hlatswayo

When we have a special occa sion or event, we will need someone to take care of the things to nibble on. A rising business

In starting her own business, Rod zula was inspired by her love to savour a good meal, her passion for experimenting with different ingre dients and types of cuisines, and her love for people. “I started cooking in 2020 during lockdown because there was not much to do. I had more time to experiment with food,” she said.

Muzwali wa Mbeu’s clients are people who have events or functions and require catering services. Her office hours depend on the number and types of functions she is cater ing to at any moment. Her prices start

She has a catalogue from which one can choose the dishes they prefer, but customers are allowed to come up with their specific requests. Since she is still growing her business, Rod zula works alone and is assisted by her sister if need be and hopes to grow her business so she can employ more people.

The business lady’s plans include reaching out to more community members to strengthen customer ser vice and company value. In addition, she seeks to enhance the quality of their services and to introduce more items in their services. She says to up-and-coming entrepreneurs and small business owners: “My advice is to get started. Be humble and learn, keep things simple and grow your network. Accept feedback and believe in yourself.”

The Thami Mnyele fine arts honours artists

By Dumisani Hlatswayo

Africa’s oldest national fine arts awards, which remains one of the country’s premier contemporary fine arts events.

The Thami Mnyele Fine Arts Awards (TMFAA) started off in the year 1987 as the Kempton Park and Tembisa Fine Arts Awards. They were later renamed after the late resistance artist Harry Thamsanqa “Thami” Mnyele, whose final rest ing place is in Tembisa. Mnyele was a freedom fighter who utilised art as a tool of expression and communica tion during the struggle for liberation from apartheid. He died in exile in Botswana in 1985.

In 2009, the CoE moved to have the Awards renamed after the acclaimed resistance artist who gave a voice to the nation through his talent during the liberation struggle. According to Thamsanqa “Thami” Mnyele: “Art must become a process – a living, growing thing that people can relate, identify with, be part of, understand; not a mysterious world, a universe apart from them.”

That idea inspired the CoE to ini tiate a competition of this nature that serves as a platform where artists are encouraged to transcend limitations, reconfigure and manipulate contem porary cultural, social, and political signs. CoE is the only Metropolitan Municipality that hosts and sponsors an Art Competition of this magnitude.

The City of Ekurhuleni, under the auspices of the Arts, Culture, and Heritage Services, proudly hosts the 34th installment of one of South

A competition of this nature serves as a platform where artists are encouraged to transcend limita tions and reconfigure and manipulate contemporary cultural, social, and political signs. Dedicated artists must employ various media to express met aphors and their aesthetic sensibility to reflect our world.

It caters to artists 18 years and above from all over South Africa, producing various artwork media. Various awards are presented to winners in each of these categories. The Ekurhuleni prize; is awarded to the best work submitted by an artist who hails from this region. A total amount of R180 000,00 prize money is awarded spread across all prizes as indicated below.

An additional Emerging Residency

Artist Award – a 3-Months Artist Residency Programme in partner ship with Meta Foundation/ August House. The residency period will kick off in March/ May 2023. The META foundation and August House are located at 76 End Street, Doornfontein.

The following prizes are awarded:

First Prize – R60 000.00

Ekurhuleni Prize – R40 000.00 and solo exhibition at the Springs Art Gallery (SAG)

Merit Awards (4 Merit Award prizes of R15 000 each)

Painting – R15 000.00

Sculpture – R15 000.00

Multimedia – R15 000.00

Works on Paper – R15 000.00

Honorable Mention Awards – R10 000. 00

R10 000.00 Prize Money and August House Emerging Residency Artist Award – (3-Months Artist Res idency Programme).

The City of Ekurhuleni has introduced a new self-service meter management system that allows residents to capture and send through their readings, should they wish to.

All of this happens by simply going to the Siyakhokha tab on the My CoE App, choosing ‘Meter Systems’, and following the prompts. The dates for reading submissions are on the web site and appear on the Meter Systems tab for your ease of reference.

Benefits of the self-help system:

• Eliminates interim / estimated meter readings;

• Eliminates duplication of date;

• You can upload photos of the meter readings;

• By having GPS coordinates on your phone, you ensure accurate link ing of a meter;

You can visit your Customer Care Centre to submit meter readings if you do not have a smartphone. Alter natively, appointed meter readers can take the readings and submit on your behalf. They just need access to the meter.

Seize Road Construction Opportunities

By Dumisani Hlatswayo

Alco Ngobese, a member of the Mayoral Committee for Roads and Transport, has urged local SMMEs to take advan tage of Sanral’s opportunities in Ekurhuleni.

The MMC was speaking at a San ral Tour to the City of Ekurhuleni, which was aimed at exposing local SMMEs to business opportunities and creating awareness of subcon tracting and community development projects. The event, held at Kempton

Park Customer Care Centre (CCC), also showcased available training opportunities for local labour.

“For a number of years, only the big companies were benefiting from Sanral projects in Ekurhuleni. Work ing with Sanral, we believe the status quo can be changed, and all the red tape that prevented SMMEs from doing business with Sanral can be removed,” he said.

He further encouraged local busi ness people not to sit back and expect business to come to them but rather to make all efforts to seek opportunities.

By Dumisani Hlatswayo

Keeping young people focused through soccer

By Dumisani Hlatswayo

The Lima Sports Programme, founded by Derrick Maphoru, brings back the excitement of watching young players showcase their soccer skills on the field. In response to seeing young kids play ing in the dusty streets without any structure, Derrick Maphoru started a soccer league for them.

“Because I have been in the same position as them, that inspired me to start the league,” he told the Oli fants News.

“Also seeing more young kids get ting involved in the drugs, alcohol, teenage pregnancy, and other social illnesses that young people have to grapple with,” he added.

The league started in March and ends on the 29th of October. The event takes place weekly at Welamlambo sports ground between 09:00-17:00. The Lima program has over 1200 par ticipants from all parts of Ekurhuleni.

The Lima League has 14 teams in four divisions: under-11s, under-13s,

under-15s, and under-17s. The under11 winners were Tembisa Sports centre, the Silver stars became the under-13 winners, the under-15 win ners were the Golden Boys, and 11 Attackers were the under-17 winners.

Maphoru said they plan to assist teams participating in the program as they know they struggle with training

equipment, balls, and soccer kit.

“We will also start initiating the education programs to help coaches learn health and safety, soft skills, and other courses that will be pro vided by e-learning,” he said. Contact LIMA on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more information. Or call Derrick on this number 07784011726.