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You can express your freedom as a South African creative through art and design.

Almost three decades ago, South Africa gained its freedom when it held its first democratic elections in 1994.

As the country commemorates Freedom Month in April, it reflects on progress made in transforming society. Designers who recently showcased their work at an exhibition held during the 2023 Buy Local Summit and Expo in Sandton had this to say about how they express their freedom through their work:

As a qualified cosmetologist, Lutendo Malambe was not satisfied with just making everyone look good, she wanted people to smell good.

That was in 2018.

Today, the 38-year-old from Centurion, Gauteng toils in her informal home laboratory experimenting with different scents for fragrances and candles to be sold to the public.

Malambe’s business Luvha Designer Scents is self-funded.

Learners and teachers of Kwata Primary School in Ga-Phala, Limpopo will now learn and teach in a suitable environment following the recent infrastructure upgrades to the school thanks to a public-private partnership.

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) partnered with Lebalelo Water User Association to equip disadvantaged communities in Limpopo with improved resources and infrastructure.

Young pig farmer Zintle James (24) is on an inspired journey to becoming a successful entrepreneur.

Originally from Sterkspruit in the Eastern Cape, James began her enterprise in 2020 when her interest was piqued by a post on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

Speaking to Vuk’uzenzele, James said while her father owned two pigs at the time, she never thought of using them to start a business.

When you buy locally manufactured products, you are not only supporting local businesses and saving jobs, but you are putting food on someone’s table.

The Minister for Trade, Industry and Competition Ebrahim Patel said the government should not be the only procurer of locally produced products. The private sector and all citizens must also make a habit of buying locally manufactured products.

Despite passing matric with a distinction in 2019, Thabiso Begoor (24) from Weenen, KwaZulu-Natal fell into a life of alcohol abuse with no prospects of any progress.

“I had no direction in life after I completed matric and I resorted to heavy drinking,” he said.

Begoor, became an orphan in 2014 when his father died. His mother passed on in 2009. 

Halalisiwe Mncwango is creating jobs and boosting the local economy through her restaurant in Port Shepstone, KwaZulu-Natal.

Mncwango is the owner of Halalisa Restaurant and Shisanyama.

She says that although being an entrepreneur is not an easy exercise, her three children and families of her employees keep her motivated during trying times.

The Vuk'uzenzele newspaper is distributed in all nine provinces in rural and peri-urban areas, directly to homes and GCIS offices.

GCIS regional offices are located in all nine provinces.

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