‘Young South Africans are moving from being only customers to being owners and technicians in their own communities.’
Recently, the Harry Gwala Development Agency has equipped 17 small businesses with start-up tools in Ixopo, with a special focus on unemployed youth now entering the cell phone repair trade industry, a sector long dominated by foreign nationals. This comes after South Africa’s March and March continues to put jobs and skills under a spotlight. According to a report released by the district’s communication team, Mayor Cllr Zamo Nxumalo officially handed over business equipment to MSMEs, including women, people with disabilities, and young entrepreneurs across the Harry Gwala District. Among the equipment were cell phone repair toolkits given to young people who completed cell phone repair training last year.
As per HGDA, the business equipment handover aims to help them start and run their own repair businesses, creating sustainable livelihoods, employment opportunities and enhancing business sustainability. Speakers at the handover highlighted that success will depend on commitment, discipline, hard work, accountability and perseverance.
For years, cell phone repair shops in various South African townships and CBDs have been largely run by foreign nationals, who are often known for broad technical and trade skills across multiple sectors. With Municipalities like Harry Gwala now training and tooling South African youth in the same skill, the dynamic is shifting. For locals it means direct competition, but also opportunity. Young South Africans are moving from being only customers to being owners and technicians in their own communities. It reduces reliance on outside operators and keeps money circulating locally.
