South Africa’s unemployment rate is high, and this remains one of the greatest challenges facing this struggling economy. Young people are at the centre of this problem and some are forced to rescue themselves. Many are still roaming the streets with no hope to find jobs while others have started businesses to make ends meet. One such person, who has beaten the odds and started her own business is Amandla Nelly Ramabu.
Soles, straps, scissors, and glue these are some of Ramabu’s tools of trade.
She is a shoemaker from Mmotong Ga-Ranoto village just outside Polokwane. Unlike most tradeswomen who learnt some skills from their parents, Ramabu was never really involved in handwork when she was growing up.Today she crafts sleepers and flip-flops, a trade she says was triggered after she had lost her job at a retail clothing store. Ramabu believes she has always had the creativity and the drive needed for the work she does but lacked the courage and the motivation to begin. Her approach to making shoes does not begin on a sketch board like many designers but rather on the craft itself. She just come up with an idea and start the process of making the shoe and at times she gets an idea and improvise as she crafts.
Although she didn’t enrol for any shoes making lessons, Amandla was fortunate to find a mentor who helped teach her everything about the trade and the discipline needed to get the job done.
Her biggest challenge was during the time she was starting her business. Sourcing the right materials and getting the moral support she felt she needed most was a challenge. She says that taking the first step was also one of the toughest stages for her as it is most often the case for many people.
The biggest lesson she learnt was the importance of discipline. She says aspiring entrepreneurs must venture into businesses they love. “Entrepreneurs must not just do it for the sake of doing it. Do what you believe in, she adds”
Amandla plans to grow her business and employ some of the unemployed youth. She says South Africans needs to buy locally produced goods to contribute towards job creations.
