Mhlaba Memela
Mhlaba Memela
While entrepreneurs battle to sustain and grow their businesses, Regina Hlengwa of the impoverished KwaMpumuza in Pietermaritzburg is smiling all the way to the bank.
Hlengwa, 57, climbed the ladder on her own to become a successful liquor business owner without any formal education.
She owns the popular Thandabantu Tavern in the rural area.
Most of the taverns are associated with crime since owners dodged regulations to have their businesses licensed.
But Hlengwa is among the entrepreneurs who believe in a legal business.
She recently attended a taverner's training course (business programme) hosted by the South African Breweries and says her business has grown significantly.
It was a five-day course to equip liquor traders with business skills to run profitable and sustainable businesses and to encourage responsible trading.
The programme works positively in enabling traders to formalise and grow their businesses.
Hlengwa has a Grade 4 education and no business management experience.
SAB account manager Victor Dlaminisaid Hlengwa started buying from their region stock of 40 cases a week.