By: Quan Dambuza
Xoliswa Portia Mlomo is a young innovative 25-year-old woman who loves taking initiative in people’s lives. Like the late Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, she was born and bred in the Eastern Cape, from a small town of Bizana. She is the youngest at home, she loves listening to music, dancing and she is a very adventurous person.
“I wanted to bring entertainment to the young generation, I realized there is a lot of teenagers who are passionate about music but because we live in an unsourced environment they fail.” – says Portia also adding that her favourite music is RNB, Afro Soul and Jazz on Sundays though she listens to Gqom and Amapiano on a regular basis.
Portia says if her event goes well, she is planning on giving back to her community by giving away school shoes and sanitary towels to less advantage children.
When asked if Bizana is currently booking enough national artists Miss Mlomo believes small towns are not doing enough, “I feel like we need a place to do events to inspire our youth. I still want to a lot for my town in terms of entertainment and tourism.” She said.
Most women are not getting enough support from business support agencies, Portia says she does. “I do get a lot of support. I never thought I would receive so much love, respect and support.”
There are a lot of things that motivate people to get into business. Portia says her motivation was profit and gain, exposure and offering empowerment to the young people.
On Wednesday, 27 October 2021 South Africa will hold local government elections and there are things the youth would like improved in places like Bizana. “The road is very bad, and I feel like our environment have very limited resources, like water and RDP houses.” – says the young businesswoman
While advising the young girls who are interested in getting into entrepreneurship and events organizing Xoliswa added that “You must tell everyone about your business. Network with other women. To be decisive, identify and understand your audience. Have goals, do not let imposter syndrome stop you. Do not be afraid to pursue an unexpected path and go all out.”
