International Women's Day - Celebrating industrious women in a man's world
Taking Care of Business (TCB)- 5 March
International Women’s Day: Celebrating industrious women in a man’s world
Taking Care of Business (TCB) is an enterprise development NGO that helps unemployed South Africans become self-employed. One of TCB’s programmes – Repair – trains participants on how to fix broken appliances, donated by retailers, and how to build a business selling them. Participants in this electrical repairs and maintenance centred programme are mainly men, but there are a few trailblazing women who are making a success in this ‘man’s world’.
Poverty and depression
One such groundbreaker is Aldah Mosima from Ivory Park in Midrand. At 39 years old, she takes care of her two children, her parents and her niece and nephew. Aldah’s story started the same as many unemployed South Africans; she finished matric and did a short computer course but after one or two jobs found herself unemployed. She says, “Being unemployed, you try a lot of things which you think will make ends meet. I would help my mother sell clothes and ice cream, and at least we would have something to eat. It was very frustrating having to depend on others because they wouldn’t meet all my needs for my kids. I ended up feeling depressed and even thought about suicide,” she says.
It was hard work, but I was successful
Aldah’s mother was part of another TCB programme, Remake, and she encouraged Aldah to join TCB. “She helped me complete the application form after seeing how depressed I was,” says Aldah.
TCB’s Repair is a two-year enterprise development training programme that supports people with practical business, financial and life skills training. Participants undergo mentoring and coaching, and they have access to a counsellor to help them deal with their personal traumas. They also get access to affordable stock that they can use to fuel their small businesses, this is stock that would have been e-waste but through the programme becomes part of the circular economy.
All TCB’s programmes, Remake, Resell and Repair, are tried-and-test programmes to eradicating the cycle of poverty in people’s lives, but they are not easy. Participants must work hard; attend training and coaching, implement their learnings, and overcome their limiting beliefs to be successful. Aldah says, “I was reluctant at first but kept trying until I was successful.”
I can take care of my kids without help from their fathers
Ultimately, Aldah’s journey at TCB has been a happy one although she had a few challenges at the beginning. “When I started, I found out I was pregnant and had a miscarriage, but that didn’t stop me because I had to soldier on and work hard so that I wouldn’t go back to the dark place I was in before,” she recalls. “I was in debt, but TCB helped me work towards financial freedom. I’m able to do things that I couldn’t do before. I have learned to repair appliances. I’m now able to cater for my kids’ needs without expecting help from their fathers,” she says.
Businessperson of the year
“What really stands out is that I am building my mom a house in Mpumalanga, which has always been a dream of mine. Since joining TCB, I’ve been getting businessperson of the month awards, and recently I received the award for Businessperson of the Year 2024. It’s the biggest achievement and shows I take what TCB gave to me seriously,” says Aldah.
“The items I repair and sell, help my customers in my community a lot because they get it at a lower price from me. Personally, I have gained more confidence because now I’m able to communicate and convince strangers to become my customers. Also it is good to know these items would have been dumped or destroyed – I am helping to reduce waste. “
TCB changes lives
“TCB changes people’s lives by empowering them, giving them skills to live by even after they have left TCB. Being a business owner and meeting your customers’ needs always brings joy. I sell at a market, through online community groups and word-of-mouth referrals help too.
Big dreams for my future
“I have big dreams for my future! First, I want to finish my mom’s house – I still need to do the roofing. Then, I’ll start making my dream of owning a salon a reality,” she says.
My advice to others
- Don’t be scared to start afresh.
- Invest in the right tools: As a self-employed person, it’s important to invest in yourself and your brand by providing yourself with the right tools for the job.
- Prioritize budget planning: It’s important to prioritize your financial planning.
- Maintain self-discipline.
- Make networking a priority.
- Ask for help when you need it.
- Bring value to the customer.
