Tembisa youth claims a share on SA entertainment revenue

South Africa’s entertainment and media industry has predicted revenue of R177.9-billion by 2021. That is according to professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers’ (PwC) report released in September 2017.

In a business report article by Kabelo Khumalo, the revenue will be a rise from R132.7-bn in 2016 with internet access the key growth driver and expected to account for R27-bn of that increase. Now one wonders how many shares the youth will claim from those figures as entrepreneurs?

In the township young people flock to music concerts, comedy events and food street markets as part of their entertainment activities. Many fill up parks and stadia to spend their money as consumers but little do they see an opportunity to become influential entrepreneurs in that area.

There are so many things that young people can do as a business in the entertainment industry. They can own and rent out stages, rent out PA systems, lighting and LED screens, which could account for a portion of the organising costs but the majority go there to drink their lives away.

Mishack Khoza has seen a gap in that industry and he wants to start building his business up from there. Besides the popular music, beverages and famous DJ’s hookah has become a phenomenon that completes the vibe. Many young people gather around and immerse themselves in clouds of smoke with different scents of flavours. Khoza couldn’t help but grab the opportunity to be a hookah and make money from events staged around Tembisa. He said he started his business after a persistent time of unemployment following his retrenchment from a five years job in 2011.

“I stayed home for three years without a job and I had to come up with something. I saw a gap in the hookah bar business because it is popular in the entertainment industry,” said Khoza.

He said when he started he had about three thousand rand in his account and he went out to source the instruments and the flavours.

“I started the business in a garage in my house. People were not used to me. I would finish a week without a single customer walking into my business. It got better day by day and today I service events when I am invited to set up a hookah bar there.

Some people even call for orders; the business is making a difference in my life.”

He said he wants his hookah businesses to grow, create employment for other people and move from the informal sector to the formal sector. Mishack Khoza said he learned business etiquette from his father who was a tuck shop owner. He taught him to pay attention to detail and to have a thorough understanding of his clientele.

“I used to go with my dad to stock up the tuckshop and count money for each days’ business. That introduced me to running a business.”

He said young people must not give up when they fail to secure formal employment.

“They must venture into business, believe in themselves and trust in the products they offer. That is the foundation of success in any business.”

Those who want to invite Mishack to their events can call 078 915 8102.