Determination pays off for Soweto hard worker
LESS than a decade ago Malerato Molobi was collecting five cent coins to raise money for her small business.
Today she runs a successful distribution company that commands respect.
Molobi, 36, of Meadowlands, Soweto, was on Tuesday night voted the overall winner of the Talk Radio 702 Small Business Awards, sponsored by Softline Pastel.
She walked away with a trophy, laptop, Softline Pastel software and airtime package in the third edition of the awards.
Molobi Enterprises distributes refreshments and beverages to spazas shops, taverns, restaurants, hawkers, private companies, garages and government departments in and around Soweto.
In the competition, which ran for about five weeks, the public nominated the business for its outstanding service. The runners-up were Neels du Plooy of Vee's Airline Catering and Arwen Swan of Arwen Garmentry.
Station manager at 702, Pheladi Gwangwa, said: "Molobi's story stood out from the rest of the nominees. She has tremendous impact on the informal sector."
After working for about six years at Wagawaga Investments as a junior accountant, Molobi lost her job when the company was liquidated in 2001. With a diploma in cost and management accounting, Molobi decided to go the entrepreneurship route.
"I could not sit down or do nothing and formal jobs were scarce. So I decided to start a business but did not have cash. I collected two and five cents pieces from relatives and friends. After some months I had R700, which I used to buy my first stock," Molobi said.
She started selling flavoured water and juice at Kelokitso High School in Meadowlands. In the afternoon she sold her goods at taxi ranks.
"I used my bedroom as a storeroom," she said.
Molobi later introduced biltong to her product range and also started delivering to homes around her area. It was at this time that she started distributing to spaza shops and taverns.
"What always frustrated me was that I lost a lot of time buying stock from distributers. This is a major problem of all hawkers," she said.
In 2005, Molobi found a place in the Roodepoort industrial area where she could store her merchandise. She then realised that people needed supplies for weddings and parties and extended her service to this market.
Today, Molobi distributes to more than 100 businesses in and around Soweto.
"I believe in not just rendering a service but adding value to my clients. My plan is to change tuck shops into convenience shops," she said.
Steven Cohen, Pastel managing director, said: "Our target market is small business. The awards tell the stories of the 'can do people'."
Vukarhi
Malerato, you’re very inspirational to all South Africans. Once more well done! You have just proved that South Africa is the land of the possibilities.Report Abuse
Pabi
Bravo Malerato, you are very good example to all unemployed people that we musn't give up in life. try is the best, u tried and u did it.Report Abuse
Hohang
Wow well done sis Malerato I hope people will be motivated to follow your step and stop blaming the government for being jobless.Report Abuse