Onicah Theledi has dreamed of owning her own mobile spa for a long time, and today, thanks to winning a competition, her dream is becoming a reality.
Mamelodi, South Africa (31 July 2023) – Small businesses in South African townships are growing and thriving, becoming beacons of hope within their communities and inspiring entrepreneurship to flourish. The ‘Proud of My Town’ campaign by Nedbank nurtures this and has seen dreams become reality. Onicah’s Optimal Balance mobile spa is one of the businesses that have succeeded, thanks to the ‘Pitch and Hustle’ competition.
Onicah Theledi has been in the beauty industry as a massage therapist for eight years but always dreamed of having her own mobile spa. Determined to make it a reality, she found the Nedbank ‘Pitch and Hustle’ competition and entered. She never imagined her pitch would be selected as the overall winner. Winning has given her a vision of where she wants to go next with her business.
The ‘Proud of My Town’ initiative goes beyond Onicah’s dream and focuses on the bustling townships of South Africa and the potential they have for thriving businesses.
The ‘Proud of My Town’ initiative was born out of a simple, powerful idea: to infuse the spirit of entrepreneurship in township communities, creating thriving businesses that build robust local economies. Many of these townships are held back by unemployment, but by collaborating with community leaders, Nedbank has been able to engage with the community and focus on nurturing local talent and entrepreneurial spirit. The result is a vibrant ecosystem where township businesses and Nedbank mutually benefit.
Onicah’s dream is one of many that are becoming reality, daily. The ‘Proud of My Town’ initiative is a testament to the philosophy of Ubuntu—a belief in the universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity. By investing in the people of the townships, Nedbank is not just uplifting communities; it is transforming the very narrative of South African entrepreneurship.
Take a look at Onicah’s inspiring story below.
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