A sheer determination and ambition to succeed is the driving force behind 18-year-old Emihle Massamba’s enterprise.
The Grade 12 learner from Maitland High School sells sausage rolls to motorists to raise money for his school transport, if he is not at school or at home studying.
He helps at a popular eatery over weekends and during school holidays, and criscrossing the busy NY1 forms part of this.
Emihle, of NY 56, started working at the Joka Good Food restaurant in March last year on advice from one of his friends. “I decided to come here because I wanted to assist my mother at home and be able to make money for my school transport,” he said. “Initially, it was tough for me because I was ashamed of what my friends and other people will say about me.”
Emihle added that with the support he has received from his associates he has got stronger and become determined to succeed.
Now he is living a simple life and he says doesn’t care what other people are saying about him.
“I’m a go getter. I believe in myself. I can do anything that I want to. Within this period that I’m working here I managed to buy myself two pairs of sneakers.”
Emihle said he normally works on weekends or during school holidays. “We arrive at work at 8 in the morning and prepare whatever we are going to sell,” he says. “And we open the shop at 9 and start selling until 5 in the afternoon.”
While most people have negative perceptions of taxi drivers, Emihle describes them as being among the “coolest people” to work with. He said his job has brought him closer to his customers.
“I made a lot of friends here who are also my customers. Sometimes I give them food on credit and pay later. We assist one another. Some of them give us tips.”
However, Emihle stated that there are some individuals who sometimes make his job hectic.
According to him a lot of tolerance and patience is required to succeed in what he does. “You must also be quick, especially when giving change. You need to think on your feet.”
Emihle described the balance between work and studies as “not being a problem”. “I have ample time to focus on my studies during the week and after work. But I don’t work during the exams. I focus on my books.”
Nomalungisa Joka, manager of the eatery, describes Emihle as a dedicated child.
“I have one staff member and six young children who are working on a temporary basis,” she said. “All of them are still studying.”
Joka added that her aim is to empower and keep them away from the streets.
