Youth face realities of unemployment
Due to financial constraints and the regulations imposed by lockdown, the company has changed its cause to offering sneaker washing services.
Mfundo Park aspiring entrepreneurs turned their event organising company into a sneaker lab business.
This is after their business took a financial knock during lockdown as it was unable to operate.
Moeketsi Dladla (30) and Sibusiso Tshabalala (31) from Mfundo Park initiated Mek-Party on October 3, 2017, as an event organising and talent scouting company.
They aimed to decrease the level of crime, poverty and unemployment by uniting the youth and the larger community of Mfundo Park through local talent.
Tshabalala completed this matric in 2008 followed by Dladla in 2009 at PT Xulu Secondary School. After completing matric they were faced with the realities of unemployment.
That is when they realised many matriculants in the community were turning to drugs and crime because of unemployment.
“We were employed at some stage, but we were not lucky enough to find permanent jobs. The sad reality is that in the townships the concept of having role models is farfetched and there are no facilities for youth to acquire skills like resources centres, facilities for sports, exercising and swimming,” said Dladla.
“The disadvantage of that is that the youth end up losing their vision because there are so many taverns and places that sell drugs.
“We were part of that in a way because we used to be at taverns buying alcohol for pleasure, but we realised it does not help us improve our lives and other people’s lives in the community. That is why we initiated Mek-Party,” he said.
They ran the business like a record label helping youngsters register, record and release music and videos on free digital distribution platforms.
Dladla said they hosted several events, including Youth Day soccer tournaments, open mic and talent shows and food testing events to help locals promote their businesses.
“Our events offered young people a platform to do poetry, dancing, singing, rapping and motivational speaking.
“Sometimes it is best for young people to be motivated and advised by their peers. It helps them stay inspired because they can witness their peers doing well in the same spaces,” said Dladla.
Due to financial constraints and the regulations imposed by lockdown, the company has changed its cause to offering sneaker washing services.
Tshabalala said they started the business with a vision to have a company that will try to employ youth and eliminate the high unemployment rate.
He said although that meant they had to put other things on hold, they will continue once they find their feet.
They wash sneakers at the corner of McBotha Drive and Lefokotsane Street, Extension 30, Mfundo Park.
Future plans
Mek-Party aspires to be one of the leading brands in SA that produce well-established youth that can compete with the world and be listed on the JSE one day.
They are looking for willing investors to help them grow their business and more customers in and out of Kathorus.
“We want to be an eye-opening example for the youth and the upcoming generation, for them to know and understand that with unity and direction the future can be conquered and bright because unemployment leads to bad behaviour and addiction habits.
“We want a huge company that will employ hundreds to thousands of youth. We are content creators, we practise street journalism and we plan to go back to organising events and expand to other things that can interest the youth,” said Tshabalala.
To support, donate or sponsor the Sneaker Lab contact Dladla on 067 938 1808.
