"We all understand that the scourge of poverty and unemployment is hitting the majority of South Africans hard in these tough economic times. But as individuals and concerned residents, we need to take it upon ourselves to bring about change in our lives. Even something we perceive as a small contribution can have a huge impact on a person struggling to make ends meet."
This is the message from Leah Mureri (32), a tourism management graduate from Nzhelele Tshirolwe, who has embarked on a drive to empower unemployed women to start their own businesses.
Mureri said she became frustrated when she could not find a job after completing her studies. "I tried to find a job in the tourism industry but eventually gave up because it was a tough struggle. I ended up working as a cashier at a retail store, where I was later transferred to the beauty section. That's where I fell in love with the art of beauty, and I decided to take a further step by leaving the retail store to start my own small beauty business."
She said that while running her business, she realised that many people needed skills to start their own businesses. "Every now and then, when my clients came for hairdressing, eyelashes, nails, and make-up, they would ask if I could transfer my skills to them. That's where the idea of empowering other people, especially women, to start their own small businesses came in. I then took it upon myself to train these people, particularly in make-up skills, so they could start their own businesses."
She added that her latest empowerment session was last month (January), when she trained 12 women in make-up skills. "I'm happy that the women are now independent and able to put food on the table."