Entrepreneur takes shoemaking to another level in Modimolle

Innovative sidewalk shoemaker Frank Kwesi of Modimolle has taken his trade to a completely new level, which may lead to job creation for young people in the neighbourhood.

The Ghanian Kwesi fixes customers shoes, but now has added another innovation whereby takkies are refurbished to look splendid new.

Kwesi’s new method has attracted so much attention in the town that he has committed to open up his business for unemployed youngsters with a desire to learn.

He said there were just too many youngsters roaming the streets without work.

“It is my wish to identify and train young people, particularly those who are from the streets. I may not be in South Africa forever. One day I may go back to my country, but the idea must not die,” he said.

The 32-year-old Ghanaian operates a shoe-mending business on the busy Joe Slovo Street, next to Phagameng Taxi Rank, where he has recently started cleaning up especially the takkies.

The young businessman said most often young people find themselves sitting at home with an idea, but fail to implement because of lack of start-up capital.

“A lot of young people want to venture into entrepreneurship, but we mostly wait for the government to provide funding and other kinds of support. That should not always be the case. An entrepreneur should combine the factors of production, take risks and set up a business,” he said.

Kwesi said the idea of shoe-wash and sanitation came when he was fixing shoes.

He said he realised the locals are very particular about their footwear.

— The BEAT