Zamuxolo Mhlelembana (28) says he tried to build a future the day he finished matric in 2020. He applied for the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, saved four months of payments, and used the money to open a small spaza shop at his home in Luthulini to help feed his family.
“Instead of spending it, I saved,” he told the Pondoland Times. “I wanted something that would put food on the table.”
The plan stalled when his grant was later declined. With only modest takings from the shop, he struggled to keep it going. He says attempts to follow up with SASSA led to online application links he battled to use on his own.
“Life became very difficult,” he said. “My hope was to grow the business, learn a trade and earn a living through skilled work. But without support or opportunities, my dreams stalled.”
Mhlelembana is now appealing to the municipality to support micro-businesses like his with practical assistance. “If we are given help to grow, we can feed ourselves and avoid becoming dependents,” he said. “If small businesses are supported, crime and drug use would go down because young people would be busy and focused on positive things.”
Despite the setbacks, he says he still wants to learn a skill and reopen on a firmer footing. “All I’m asking for is a fair start.”
