Less than two weeks after being announced as the winner of the national Kickstart Your Business with Boxer competition, Soshanguve entrepreneur Yvonne Dlamini says her success is about more than receiving prizes – it is about creating a better future for her family and eventually providing employment opportunities in her community.
Dlamini, 39, who supports her four children and several extended family members through her small egg-selling business, said the journey began with a simple decision to provide a basic service to residents in her neighbourhood.
“In a community like Soshanguve, you learn to be resourceful. Formal jobs are not easy to come by, and as a single parent, providing for my family is my absolute priority. I saw that people needed fresh, affordable food close to home, so I started selling eggs,” she said.
The business, which began with only a few trays of eggs, has since become the family’s primary source of income.
Dlamini was recently named the grand prize winner of Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa’s Kickstart Your Business with Boxer campaign, in partnership with Boxer Superstores and Power Play. Her prize includes a fully equipped Bizniz in a Box container store, a Foton Tunland G7 bakkie and Boxer eRewards to help stock her business.
She admitted that hearing she had won the competition was almost impossible to believe.
“Honestly, it was a moment of complete disbelief. You enter these competitions with a little bit of hope, but you never truly expect it to be you.”
Dlamini said the prize would allow her to transform her business from a small egg outlet into a neighbourhood convenience store.
The Bizniz in a Box container will provide a secure and professional trading space, while the new vehicle will enable her to purchase stock in bulk directly from wholesalers, reducing transport costs and creating opportunities to expand her customer base.
She also plans to increase the range of products available to residents by stocking bread, milk, maize meal and other everyday household essentials.
Beyond growing her business, Dlamini hopes the expansion will benefit others in Soshanguve.
“My sister already helps me with the business. As it grows, I hope to create employment opportunities for other people in the community. Being able to provide someone with a reliable income would mean a great deal to me.”
Supporting her family remains the motivation behind everything she does.
“My children, my mother, my sister and her children are my greatest inspiration. Every rand I earned was essential to keeping my family going.”
Dlamini encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs not to wait for perfect circumstances before starting a business.
“Start with what is right in front of you. Look at what your community needs and don’t be afraid to start small. My business began with a few trays of eggs and a strong will.”
She also encouraged small business owners to take advantage of opportunities offered by companies investing in township entrepreneurs.
“You cannot win if you do not try. Keep your eyes open for opportunities because they can completely change your future.”
For Dlamini, the competition prize is not the finish line but the beginning of a new chapter, one she hopes will strengthen her family’s future while contributing to economic growth and job creation in Soshanguve.
