By Mpheni Tshivhase
- Fourteen year old Boksburg learner Wavhudi Angel Mugwena sells handmade bracelets to buy sanitary towels for girls in her area.
- Boksburg business owner Wavhudi Angel Mugwena hopes to buy a farm and encourages young people to take part in elections.
Scrolla is celebrating Youth Day by sharing the stories of youth doing good across the country.
Wavhudi Angel Mugwena is a fourteen year old Grade eight learner from Dawn Park in Boksburg who runs a small craft business.
Mugwena has spent two years making and selling handmade bracelets, keychains and bag accessories. She sells these items mainly to fellow school learners.
She uses simple materials like beads, cords, charms and decorative pieces. She taught herself to design the products and respond to what customers want.
Her bag accessories include keychain charms, tassels, beaded decorations and handmade ornaments. She also makes small hang tags, pendants and mini pouches for backpacks.
Mugwena personalises her bracelets. Buyers can request specific names, initials or designs. This turns her creativity into a small source of income.
Marketing and low supplies are her biggest challenges. But her parents step in to help when materials run low and encourage her to continue.
Mugwena uses social media to promote her business. She draws inspiration from popular entrepreneurs DJ Zinhle and Lady Du.
She sets aside part of her earnings to give back to her community. Mugwena buys sanitary towels for local girls. She also buys soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes for boys in need.
Her original goal was to save enough money to buy a farm to support local communities.
Mugwena is too young to vote but encourages young people to take part in elections when they come of age. She says change only happens when people use their voices.
“No vote, no voice,” Mugwena said.
She encourages other young people to start early and build independence through self-employment. She continues to balance school and her thriving business.
Pictured above: Fourteen year old craft business owner Wavhudi Angel Mugwena.
Image source: Supplied
