Sweeping away unemployment blues
She took this route not only to be of benefit to herself but to other unemployed people as well
Instead of sitting at home lamenting about being unemployed, Nonhlanhla Tshabalala from Meadowlands Zone 10 took it upon herself to start her own company.
She took this route not only to be of benefit to herself but to other unemployed people as well.
She started a cleaning company called Owamibuhle Cleaning Specialists, a name that was inspired by her two daughters ‘Owami’ and ‘Buhle’ who she wants to leave a solid legacy for.
Owamibuhle has been in business for three years but was registered two years ago. The company offers the following services; road sweeping, pre-cleaning and post-cleaning at events, household cleaning, casual cleaning, temporary and permanent placement of a cleaner and cleaning of homes and offices.
Tshabalala said,”With household cleaning, one books the service and cleaners will be sent to that particular house to spring clean.”Helper placement is when someone requests a person on a weekly basis and the client will pay month-end.”
After only three years in existence, Owamibuhle has created employment for 20 people.
“I am trying to change people’s lives so that they can provide a better future for their children. The business is slowly growing as I am now known at other areas outside Soweto and as it grows I want to hire more people.
Tshabalala’s mother was unemployed while growing up and she says that also inspired her to start her own business.
“My mom was not working and unskilled, which is what ignited the spark in me to start a cleaning business, I want to offer skills to other women who are like my mom while simultaneously pursuing my studies in business and entrepreneurship. If my mom had an opportunity to work, I believe she would have saved up for my studies,” she said.
Tshabalala’s vision is to be known worldwide which is the reason she is continuing her studies so that she is further equipped in her entrepreneurship.
She enrolled at a business school, studied project management and will soon graduate from the University of the Free State.
Tshabalala’s vision not only ends with growing the business in terms of getting more bookings or growing the ingredients she needs to have her own branded cleaning chemicals.
“I want to see the company grow massively. At the moment, I am trying to find a plantation where I can grow natural cleaning products. I am also open to finding someone to create products bearing my name,” she said.
The driven businesswoman has recently acquired office space at the Zone 10 Mall’s upper level, an achievement she sees as a stepping stone to growing her business empire.
