Kabelo Tlhabanelo
Their R350 Covid-19 grants were approved, but it was still far less than what they needed to survive.
So, with their first payment, neighbours Tsabeng Kwena and Disebo Ramothibe from Batho in Mangaung started small businesses.
Tsabeng opened a roasted peanuts business while Disebo sold snoek fish.
The two women are not only neighbours but best friends who look after each other’s house when the other is not home.
They both discussed making the R350 work better for them, as they knew that it would not be enough on its own.
That’s when they had the idea of starting a small business that wouldn’t require a lot of start-up money.
Tsabeng remembered her grandmother’s peanut business and Disebo said that since they lived near the school, learners could come to her for snoek.
Tsabeng roasts her peanuts and packages them in plastic before selling them.
Disebo, meanwhile, mixes the snoek with spices and dips it in cooking oil to keep it softer and more spicy.
Tsabeng told Scrolla.Africa: “I remembered my late grandmother had a peanut business which was booming at the time, and I thought that is something I should do since it doesn’t cost much to start,” she said.
She used R150 to buy stock and resold it in small packets for R5 each.
“I used the remaining R200 for electricity and groceries but then the peanuts business took off.
“I’m happy to say it is supporting me and my son,” said Tsabeng.
“I think my grandmother is smiling in heaven”, she added. She now makes more than R500 profit a month. Her neighbour Disebo said her snoek sells like hot cakes.
“People who drink are my biggest customers. They like something spicy,” she said.
“I sell one piece for R2 and I don’t need electricity. I just spice the snoek fish and sell it,” she said.
“I want to buy in bulk one day but for now, I use R200 on snoek, spices and oil. With the remaining R150 I buy toiletries and maize meal.”
“The money has made a huge difference for me and my family. You have to be smart with the little you get to make it last.”
