Self-employment needs more than hustle to break the cycle of poverty
17 October is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
Self-employment needs more than hustle to break the cycle of poverty
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Antonio Mhlongo’s story
Poverty Eradication Day on 17 October is a global reminder of the urgent need to create pathways out of poverty for millions of people. Globally, more than 3 billion people (half the population of the world) live on less than $2.50 (R43,50) a day and are classified as ‘absolutely poor’. In South Africa, 30 million people were living below the national poverty line in 2015, with the World Bank predicting that number to grow to 41,8 million people by 2027.
According to a study published by IZA World of Labor, most people turn to self-employment as the only option to escape absolute poverty, but while self-employment offers hope, too often it ends in disappointment. Without training, support, or resources, hard-working people are left running businesses that fail before they never get off the ground. This is where Taking Care of Business (TCB) comes in. For 15 years, the social enterprise has worked to shift the odds for unemployed South Africans. By combining access to stock with practical business training, mentoring, and life skills, TCB ensures that self-employment becomes more than survival but a pathway to sustainable income and dignity.
TCB empowers unemployed South Africans with the resources, skills and support they need to start their own sustainable businesses in the informal and circular economy. Since 2010, more than 1000 participants a year have joined one of its two-year programmes, with most becoming successful entrepreneurs who are able to break the cycle of poverty in their families. However, this is not an easy ride. Being self-employed has many challenges, and it takes hard work and dedication every day to build a better life.
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Antonio Mhlongo is someone who has experienced first-hand the struggles of running a business without training and support, and the difference it makes when you do have the necessary tools and resources. Antonio has lived in poverty since he was a child. He comes from a large, disadvantaged family, with his mother, who was the breadwinner, passing away when he was young. He says,
“We used to eat one meal a day, which was also something because on other days we would go to bed without eating.”
The seven siblings tried to earn some money by selling sweets at their primary school, which provided them with their daily meal.
“Sometimes we would face challenges like our teachers taking our stock, saying we were distracting other kids. Then our business would go down and we all would be back to sleeping with empty stomachs,”
he explains.
Antonio finished matric and did a few short courses. He opened a business selling anything he could, but unfortunately, had to close it as he did not have the necessary business skills.
He says,
“I once owned a big car wash with an idea of turning it into a buy ‘n braai place, but I lost it due to poor management.”
In 2023, Antonio joined TCB’s Johannesburg Repair programme, under the impression that he would be able to get stock cheaply.
He says,
“I thought ‘I’ll make lots of money here’. My idea was just to come buy in bulk.”
He soon realised that it was so much more. Participants undergo intense training and must attend classes as well as counselling and mentoring sessions.
“I learnt how to repair items and manage a business properly. The mentoring helped me a lot with skills for managing my money and learning how to run a business. My life has changed so much with lots of improvement. I have learned a lot about business and the life skills have built me to be where I am today, businesswise and as a parent. Now I can afford lots of stuff financially, and I know TCB still has a lot more to teach me,”
he says.
“Every day is a lesson, every win is earned,”
says Antonio as he explains the difficulties he faces.
“We get good prices for items, so it’s easy to sell to the community even though they (customers) are always challenging us. There is lots of competition out there and we are competing with people selling new items from the box with a warranty on it and options of refunds. So, we try to be as low as we can, especially with lots of disadvantaged people around and lots of unemployment. People can’t afford expensive items,”
he says.
Antonio understands that the benefits of learning the skills to manage a business properly, although time-consuming, are ultimately what will make his business sustainable.
“There are lots of rules that I need to learn to follow, and we work hard daily. We attend classes, shop, volunteer and repair items, and still need to make time to sell and be with family and friends. We need to learn how to manage our time,”
he explains.
“I sell online due to time and convenience. I close late and also deliver straight to your door. I always focus on getting at least one item sold a day and on building stock for month-end. I have also learnt to sell for cash only and not credit.”
“I’ve always been a streetwise person, so I’ve been working hard on my plan for when I graduate from the programme. I’m getting ready to go out there and do more. Being self-employed is not a joke. It needs discipline, time, focus, dedication and commitment,”
says Antonio.
You can help TCB empower South Africans like Antonio to eradicate poverty from their lives. Donate here.
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About Taking Care of Business (TCB)
Taking Care of Business (TCB), formerly known as The Clothing Bank, is a non-profit social enterprise dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty in South African families. We equip unemployed South Africans—particularly women—with the skills, support, and resources they need to build sustainable livelihoods and participate in the economy.
Through our Enterprise Development programmes—Resell, Repair, and Remake—we transform retail excess and damaged goods, including clothing, homeware, fabric, and appliances, into entrepreneurial opportunities. Participants launch their own small businesses and begin generating income within their first month.
More than just business training, our programmes take a holistic approach—developing the head (skills and knowledge), heart (personal growth and resilience), and hands (practical application). Participants receive training in finance, business management, digital literacy, and life skills, with access to mentorship and counselling to support their journey.
To learn more, visit www.tcb.org.za or contact us at info@tcb.org.za .
