Two young men on the go

Two unemployed graduates Tshepo Phalafala and Jerry Pitja from Zone 5, Seshego have joined forces to curb poverty and fight the scourge of unemployment.
Phalafala who studied Physical and Mineral Science at the University of Limpopo started a small bakery business in his home where he sells homemade muffins and pancakes to members of the community.
The 25-year old who was forced to drop out of university in his second year in 2016 due to financial constraints said his business has given him a new lease on life.
“It was tough after I left school because I was at sixes and sevens about my life and future. Instead of just loitering at home I had to do something beneficial and a bakery was at the top of my list,” Phalafala said.
His dream is to grow his business and eventually compete with bigger suppliers in the bakery industry.
“I don’t want a shop. I want to own a big factory where I will be able to employ lots of people and supply my products to bigger markets. I want to have trucks that will supply cakes and bread to big retail markets in the country,” Phalafala said.
He also added that he finds joy and pleasure working and operating in an area which is mainly preferred by women.
“I am always in the kitchen and a lot of people, especially my friends are still baffled by my choice. I developed a passion for cooking at an early age and my family knows that too. I wake up at 03:00 to prepare the muffins and pancakes for my customers because they prefer them fresh and tasty. I leave home around 05:00 for the city to sell my products there because there is a bigger demand and market for the product,” concluded Phalafala before adding that he planned to complete his degree once he has saved enough money.
Pitja who graduated in Journalism and Media in 2009 is a self taught fashion designer, and he designs and sells suits and jackets to the community. Just like Phalafala, he also operates from his home in Zone 5. “It was tough after I graduated. I could not find work and fashion has always been my passion. I saw an opportunity in the fashion industry and made good use of it. I started operating in 2015 and things have been good so far. I don’t have a big clientele yet, but I am happy with the progress I have made over the past years. My dream is to own retail stores in different parts of the country and employ lot of young people,” Pitja said.
He added that young people should stop making noise about unemployment and create opportunities for themselves. “It saddens me to see young people waiting for freebies from Government. Government alone can’t fight poverty and employment. We need to rise up as young people and create employment. We need a society of young people who are willing to go all out and make things happen. We need leaders, not followers in our country.”

Story and photos: Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert.observer@gmail.com