By Teboho Moloi
QWAQWA – Dressed in a sharp suit and carrying steaming containers of freshly cooked maize meal through the busy streets of Setsing CBD, 32-year-old Motlalentoa Motloung stands out from the crowd.
While many mistake him for a corporate executive or government official, he is proudly earning a living as a maize meal hawker – a business he says has transformed his life and kept his family afloat.
For Motloung, selling maize meal is more than a job; it is a family legacy built on perseverance, sacrifice and survival.
The Grade 10 school dropout recalls how financial hardships at home forced him to leave school and assist his mother in selling maize meal to learners and residents in the community.
“I learned this business from my mother and eventually took over at a young age. I had to leave school in Grade 10 because life was difficult and my family needed support. I have been selling maize meal since I was eight years old,” he said.
Despite the challenges and stigma often attached to informal trading, Motloung says he has never looked down on his work.
“I respect my hustle because it has changed my life. It allows me to provide for my family and take care of the people who depend on me. There is nothing shameful about earning an honest living,” he said.
Motloung currently supports his mother, wife and four children through the income generated from his business.Neither the biting winter cold nor the scorching summer heat of QwaQwa can stop the determined entrepreneur from pursuing his dream. His day begins long before sunrise.
“I wake up as early as 2:00 AM every day to prepare the maize meal before heading out to sell at taxi ranks, garages, municipal offices and other government institutions,” he explained.
While many see only a street vendor, Motloung sees a future business empire in the making.
“My dream is to become a successful businessman with several spaza shops and maize meal outlets across the region. I believe every successful business starts small. What matters is determination, discipline and hard work,” he said.
With South Africa battling high levels of unemployment, Motloung has a message for young people searching for opportunities.
“The unemployment rate is very high. People should not be ashamed of starting small. Hard work and persistence can change your life. Survival depends on determination and a willingness to work.”
Against all odds, Motloung continues to walk the streets of Setsing with dignity and purpose, proving that success is not defined by where one starts, but by the courage to keep moving forward.
