Mpilo Keswa, Touch Technology Internet Café

1. Tell us about your business and how it is making a difference in your community or township?

“Touch Technology Internet Café provides quality internet and computer services for the semi-urban and rural community of Eshowe in KwaZulu-Natal.”

2. What are your biggest challenges as a young and upcoming entrepreneur?

“Lack of funds. Nothing can hold a business back like money problems. Difficulties balancing growth and quality. Finding customers.”

3. How has the funding and/or other resources from sefa contributed to the success of your business? Did you face any challenges?

“sefa contributed money and equipment to help equip my business to be what it is today, so that we could provide the services my business does to the community of Eshowe.”

4. Is there a crucial need for entities such as sefa in building our economy. If so, why is that?

“Entities such as sefa are crucial for an upcoming and growing economy such as ours, where entrepreneurial opportunities are few and far between, mostly due to lack of funding and investment opportunities.

“In countries such as South Africa, funding agencies are needed to help young entrepreneurs start and grow their innovative ideas, and in return create much-needed employment opportunities for our brothers and sisters.”

5. Do you employ any young people in your business? How has this changed their lives?

“Yes, I do. I have two young people working for me on a full-time basis. This is obviously helping to make a difference in their lives. Because of my business venture, they are employed and can provide for themselves.”

6. What advice can you give to young people who wish to start their own businesses?

“Because of the line of work I’m in, and drawing from my experience, I see an ever-growing demand for public computers. Many people lack computers to access the internet [in order to] gain access to opportunities that they can tap into.

“For any young person who wishes to start their own venture, I’d say look at something along these lines, particularly if you’re stationed in a rural community or township area.”