LET’S HEAR IT FOR THE GIRLS

With Women’s Day, Youth Day and Entrepreneur’s Day all falling in August, what better time to celebrate young female changemakers?


HEAVENLY HOMEMADE GOODIES
Johannesburg teenager Jessica Merces Pita (15), began her business, Glitzyglam in 2017, creating custom bath and body products, gift hampers and goodie bags. ‘I love making my own pampering products and gifts as it keeps my mind busy,’ she says. ‘I also enjoy earning my own money and feeling proud of my business success.’ Jessica lost most of her eyesight after having a tumour removed in 2014, and she says the business gives her a feeling of independence and achievement. ‘I would like to inspire others with disabilities and let them know that you can do whatever you put your mind to,’ she says. ‘I believe that, with hard work and determination, Glitzyglam will just keep growing and eventually even become a franchise.’

Follow Glitzyglam on Instagram @glitzyglam1 and Facebook @jessie.pita.92

FARMERS OF THE FUTURE
Boitumelo Moshoeshoe and Carlee Van Der Heever (both 13) of Elsies River in the Cape began an agricultural farm in early 2017 to help support their school’s feeding scheme. ‘We have both always wanted to learn to farm,’ says Carlee. ‘We approached our class teacher at Cravenby Comprehensive School to help us in setting up our farm at the school,’ says Boitumelo. ‘Today our farm produces a wide range of healthy veggies and we are able to feed more learners because of what we are doing.’ Carlee adds that she hopes to get into commercial farming when she’s older, and make a living from her love of the land.

For more information email Albert Zinhanga at zinhanga@gmail.com




AQUATIC AMBITION
Pretoria-based Rikalize Reineke (16) began her business, La Pieus Aqua, at the age of 12, becoming the youngest aquaculture and aquaponics farmer in SA. Aquaculture is the farming of water creatures like fish. Aquaponics is a clever way of farming fish and plants – the waste from the fish tanks is used to fertilise the plants, and the plants are used to clean the water for the fish! Plants keep the water healthy because they absorb carbon dioxide, which is harmful to fish, and they release oxygen into the water, which is good for them. After starting her operation with 4 000 fish in 2014, Rikalize (who wants to be a marine biologist when she’s older) now runs one of the top facilities of its kind in SA. ‘By creating public awareness and teaching people about aquaponics and aqua-culture as a way of farming for the future, I hope to create jobs, fight hunger and give children in Africa a chance of living healthier lives,’ she says.

For more information go to lapieusaqua.co.za 

SUCCESSFUL SISTERS
Having previously had their own jewellery business, KL Jewellery, sisters Lethabo (12) and Kemo Modimogale (14) have moved into the more lucrative herbal soap market. Their mother, Puseletso, has a successful salon in Pretoria, where they were exposed to the beauty industry, so this was a natural progression for the two young entrepreneurs. ‘The girls’ enterprise is called KL Empire and it allows them to be more financially independent and business savvy,’ says Puseletso. With ambitions to expand their client base and produce a new range this year, the future looks bright for these successful siblings.

Follow Kemo and Lethabo on Facebook @kemolethaboempire

KIDS’ CASH-EARNING TIPS
There are a few smart ways for kids to make their own money (always ask an adult for help):
  • Walking people’s dogs
  • Offering to help elderly or disabled people with their shopping
  • Teaching computer basics
  • Washing cars
  • Weeding and mowing lawns
  • Selling homemade crafts
  • Selling baked goodies
  • Growing and selling veggies
  • Holding a garage sale
  • Doing extra chores around the home
  • Babysitting (if old enough)
  • Selling sweets and treats at school (if permitted)


Text Julia Lamberti-Morreira

LET’S HEAR IT FOR THE GIRLS LET’S HEAR IT FOR THE GIRLS Reviewed by Michelle Pienaar on July 05, 2018 Rating: 5
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