Tsakane – Joseph Mhelembe (44) has created a one stop shop, providing his customers with shoe repair services and a barbershop.
Mhelembe says he provides both these services since he could not choose between the two.
Before this he used to work for a bus company but, due to continuous fights with his bosses, he resigned to start his own business.
“I started cutting hair in 1989 after being taught by my late father, Gabriel Mhelembe, in KwaThema.
“In 1996, a friend of mine, Alfred Makhubela, told me he dreamt he was teaching me to do his job and, by then, I was not interested, up until 1998.
“He then taught me how to repair shoes and in two days I knew how to do the job,” says Mhelembe.
Makhubelo gave Mhelembe R10 and, with that, he bought shoe glue and a piece of shoe sole and that was the beginning of his business.
“From only R10 I am happy where my business is today because now I can create my own belts and shoes from scratch.
“This shows that when you are hungry and work hard, you can do anything you put your mind to.
“I am proof as I made it from just R10 and hard work. I am grateful to Makhubelo for changing my life,” he says.
Mhelembe adds that he has learnt the art of designing shoes from just watching other people do it and he believes that in life you should always be willing to learn new things.
“I enjoy creating new things and coming up with new ideas from my own head.
“Some of the shoes I create are made from leather, beads and animal skin,” he says.
He adds that he loves his customers dearly as without them he would be nothing.
Mhelembe says if you are unemployed, then use your hands and brains as no one will just give you money for doing nothing.
