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.
Thirsty for success: the story of Dinah Setati
Dinah Setati has always had a good head for business. She paid her own school fees by providing a hairdressing service to local community members and, after working in retail for a while after matriculating, decided to pursue her true calling. Dinah founded Deelera...
Illuminating futures: Marry Chauke’s solar revolution
Growing up in Soshanguve, a place with many challenges, ignited Marry Chauke's passion for business. Raised by a strong single mother, she understood the struggles of living without electricity. Her goal is to give her community a brighter future, where a lack of...
Sweat equity: the entrepreneurial journey of Fit Muntuza
When Constance Kubheka embarked on her entrepreneurial journey, she was fuelled by a mission close to her heart. As a fitness professional, she understands the importance of regular exercise and is working to promote fun fitness activities to her community in Mamelodi...
From idea to impact: Lindiwe’s quest for clean water
Lindiwe Masango knows what it is like to live without access to clean drinking water. Living in Mamelodi township in the province of Gauteng, this is a reality for many residents. After working in the corporate world for over a decade, Lindiwe Masango was more than...
From job loss to mobile spa success: Onicah Theledi’s inspiring journey
Three years ago, Onicah Theledi began a new journey as an entrepreneur by turning her love for wellness into a business. The story of Optimal Balance Mobile Spa speaks of resilience, commitment, and a strong desire to heal.Onicah was a massage therapist and...
Co-creating safer communities
A small group of unarmed women patrol the streets of a neighbourhood where the sound of gunshots rings out at night. A team gathers in the make-shift corrugated iron structure that is home to the ‘boardroom’ where they plan both safety and sports activities for their...