MAMELODI-EAST, TSHWANE
GAUTENG
Mother of Melodies
“Mamelodi” is the name derived from the Sepedi word with the prefix being “ma” meaning mother, and the suffix “melodi” meaning melody.
Located 20km east of the Tshwane Central Business District, Mamelodi is home to over 60,160 households. It is the home of the Premier soccer league team, Mamelodi Sundowns football club and just as the name suggests, it is a place rich in culture and “vibe”. Although Mamelodi is a place where many nurture dreams, it is taking strain due to the rapid growth in its population. This results in a heightened demand for resources and furthermore, makes livelihood opportunities infrequent. These challenges have, however, not disheartened Mamelodi dwellers – they continue to strive to find opportunities in sectors less explored.
Crafting keys, building dreams: The story of Sbevu Trading
When you visit Mams Mall in Mamelodi township, Tshwane, you are likely to come across Sbevu Locksmith and Projects (registered as Sbevu Trading), a local business that has been serving the community since it opened its doors in 2020. Bheki Innocent Simelane, the man...
Fixing spaces, inspiring futures: Transforming Early Childhood Development centres
I remember a particular day when I walked into our local hardware store with my youngest son at my side. He was 11 years old at the time. Hardware stores have that distinctive smell – a mixture of paint, chemicals, wood and cement. I commented on it and my son,...
Fueling change in the automotive realm
When Sbusiso Mngomezulu and Mandisa Xulu started their business, Alcophylex (Pty) Ltd in Mamelodi township in 2020, they never expected their journey to be so rewarding. Their business, an automotive paint centre, provides a profitable outlet for their mutual love for...
Reinventing success: the Soloman Mabuse story
It has been more than a decade since Soloman Mabuse first opened the doors to Daiman Records Distributors in Mamelodi, Gauteng in 2013. With a certificate from the Film and Publication Board, his business operations were initially focused on the sales and distribution...
In pursuit of digital empowerment: the Swazi Connection story
Kopane Mabasa is the driving force behind The Swazi Connection, a business centered on technology and community. His business journey consists of a mix of different experiences. With a background in Information Technology (IT) and telecommunication, he has held...
Resilience and flavour: how Dado Foodies became a catering powerhouse
Maropeng Madumo’s entrepreneurial spirit started to blossom at a very young age. She was in grade 3 when she discovered that her mom’s passion for selling was contagious. She soon joined her mother in vending sweets and snacks at school – planting the seeds of...