Some people consider the arts and culture their business, while others view it as a way of life. Some people manage to combine the two in interesting ways. Mpilo Gumede Manyisa, a 29-year-old fashion designer and entrepreneur from Dobsonville in Soweto, is well-known for being a hustler who created his pop-up market during youth month and converted his passion into a successful business.
Manyisa specializes in creating fabrics with African prints and other patterns for both traditional and daily wear. Every month, on the first weekend, he hosts pop-ups at the Dobsonville Hostel in Soweto, where he displays his artwork. People from as far away as Witbank and Krugersdorp have been drawn to the effort because they admire his skill and exquisite crafts. “The launch was successful, and things look good going forward,”
One of SA’s main problems is the number of disgruntled young people living in the townships who are unemployed. This is because most young people find it challenging to deal with the intricacies of life while looking for work. Many artists struggle, and their gifts are wasted. Nevertheless, Manyisa persevered in pursuing his love of fashion and encouraged other regional artists to work with him. Manyisa emphasized the value of community outreach programs like pop-up markets and their significance in bridging the divide between locals and creatives. A local artist must first establish their reputation within their community. Giving starts at home.
Manyisa claims that the government should do more to assist small businesses, “especially young entrepreneurs like me operating in a township,” as the nation moves toward a government of national unity one month after the elections.
Manyisa said,
“It’s high time we valued local crafts or businesses and helped it get onto the right platforms by investing in infrastructure & financial stability. We need shops in these big malls and safe sites in our communities,”
