BY DELISA THWALA
SITEKI – Over 100 market vendors had their place given a facelift by MTN staff.
The company made an investment of E160 000 on paint and labour to freshen up the place that houses 32 shops and over 100 vendor stalls.
It took about 70 staff members to paint the building exterior yesterday, an activity that started at 10 am until 3pm.
The team was led by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Wandile Mtshali, Fintech CEO Sam Shongwe, Head of Corporate Services Sibusiso Nhleko, Chief Financial Officer Norman Chakanyuka, acting Chief Marketing Officer Mandla Gule, Head of Sales and Distribution and Commercial Chris Wasswa, Head of Human Resources Happy Mavimbela, Head of Risk and Compliance Sydney Mdluli and Customer Services Leader Gciniwe Fakudze.
This initiative is part of the MTN 21 Days of Y’ello Care campaign where MTN is ploughing back to the people.
The theme of this year’s campaign is Empowering Entrepreneurship to Unlock Growth and Job Creation, with the main focus being on the youth and waste monetization among others.
Sebenzile Motsa who has rented a stall for five years now said the market needed this touch up.
“We are grateful to MTN. We started celebrating the moment we were told about this project some weeks ago. It feels like we are working in a totally new building now,” she said.
Motsa said the day was different because of the presence of MTN staffers who participated in the painting.
“It was an honour for us to mingle with the CEO and have him literally do the painting when he has already contributed so much money for the project.” she said.
MTN Manager Corporate Services, Thandiwe Mashinini said, “As part of supporting small businesses in the country, MTN has embarked on a painting project to revamp the market owned by the town council of Siteki.
The activity took place alongside the ongoing regional business tours at Siteki Town Council. In partnership with Junior Achievement, MTN awarded five more young entrepreneurs with a seed and booster capital of E10 000 each.
The five presented their business pitches together with 10 others who have ventured into agribusiness, catering, hairdressing and fast foods.
The winners Kayise Bhembe, Kevin Du Pont, Ncamiso Ngcamphalala, Mduduzi Shabangu and Ntombifuthi Maseko.
