Young people urged to consider going into business
“In the end, I want to see myself transferring skills to my community."
SHARPEVILLE.- Young people should never be afraid to tread into feared spaces, particularly, business.
This is the belief of Thabiso Gaedie a young entrepreneur from Sharpeville who, together with a partner, runs the Sharpeville Printers and Designs (Corp) which is based at the old Sharpeville Police Station. The company specializes in printing, the visual arts, signages, tekkie drawings, and many other different accessories designs amongst others.
Talking with Sedibeng Ster during an interview recently, 39-year-old Gaedi said that young people should stand up and do things for themselves, instead of expecting to be ‘spoon-fed’ as they have the power to achieve whatever they set their minds to.
He studied Visual Arts at Sedibeng Further Education and Training (FET) College, which is the art of drawing, painting, sculpting, and computer graphics.
His partner in the business, Nathaniel Mosehle is working particularly with leather, some of which he turns into clothing, masks, and jackets for bikers, belts, and many other accessories.
The business which was started around 2008 saw him being contracted to make custom-made puppets that took to the streets during the recent Economic Freedom Fighters’ (EFF) Carnival Parade that was held in Sandton, Johannesburg celebrating the EFF’s 10 Anniversary.
Other than that, Gaedie’s main business is from the local companies, funeral parlors, societies, churches, and sports clubs. He encourages the youth to work with their hands and to try and develop a ‘thick skin’ and have a sense of belief that they can make it in the world of business.
“Young people should try to work with their hands, it is not all of us who can make it in the corporate world or all of us who can keep a 9 to 5 job. But knowing that you have two beautiful gifts, in the form of your hands, should be enough to make a living and go even further thus keeping them away from the cruel streets.”
His current wish is to soon explore digital printing, and with space and equipment being made available by the powers that be, he believes he can make it.
“In the end, I want to see myself transferring skills to my community, I want to teach them how to do things for themselves, to work for themselves, and ultimately make it in life.”
