Youngster making a difference

She runs a bin cleaning business which she started earlier this year in Extension 17 in Tsakane.

Simelane says she saw the need to clean residents’ refuse bins as most people don’t have the time to clean their bins or simply don’t like doing it.

She then organised unemployed youth from the area to work with her to secure an income.

“I realised that there are a number of young people who are doing this kind of business around Kwatsaduza and they are making a living out of it,” she says.

Simelane explains that her greatest challenge was starting up without any funding from an organisation or financial institute.

“I did everything myself, I went and bought cleaning materials and chemicals to clean the refuse bins with.

“If my parents were also not supportive of my vision it wouldn’t have been possible,” says Simelane.

The young woman cleans 60 refuse bins every week and employs four other young people in her business.

“When I started I was cleaning only five bins and gradually the numbers grew and now I see my profits grow.”

She says she hasn’t registered a company yet as she was still new in the business field but now that she sees her business has a market she will register it next year.

“I want to grow as an entrepreneur so registering a company is definitely on my plans for next year.

“I also want to motive the youth to stand up and do something about their current situation, being unemployed is not the end of the world,” she says.