Yamkela Khoza Tywakadi

Meet ten inspiring business moguls from both townships and rural areas: Themba Makamo of Vaya Footwear, who redefines local pride with his booming footwear brand, and Sheldon Tatchell of Legends Barbershop, who is revolutionising the haircutting industry. From the innovative Ntuthuko Shezi to the visionary Nozipho Tshabalala and the pioneering Candice Thurston, each story is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the indomitable spirit forged in the townships and rural areas of South Africa. The first in an ongoing series, Rising from the Township offers invaluable insights into the mechanics of building a thriving business, detailing how these entrepreneurs accessed markets, secured funding, built partnerships, and overcame seemingly insurmountable challenges.