KYM returns in the month of August 2019. Stay on the lookout for the launch of our Vlog later on in the year, where you’ll be able to interact with us!
On Iykleva today, we’re featuring Pule Letswalo, a really humble Architect from Soweto. We’re about to find all about his work.
Featured- Pule Letswalo (32) – Letswalo Studio (Protea North Represent)
Fefe: Sho King I believing you are doing well and thriving.
Pule: Yes I am God has been good.
Fefe: What made you start your own company?
Pule: I have always had a deep desire to create/produce something that would eventually outlive my existence, and so starting a firm was the only way to fulfill this desire.
Fefe: Do you currently have any employees?
Pule: Yes, I currently have two fantastic employees and we are planning on bringing in two more in the near future.
Fefe: How was it like when you first started?
Pule: When I first started, it proved to be both scary and liberating at the same time, having to service a big client independently. But, the feeling of driving the entire design process from start to finish is still exhilarating for me.
Fefe: Are there any other services that you guys render?
Pule: Yes, we do offer other professional services apart from architecture, i.e. Construction, Town planning and Interior Designing.
Fefe: As an architect, I believe there is a variety of softwares that you use, what are some of the basics ones?
Pule: That would be AutoCAD and Revit.
Fefe: Please tell us about your current project
Pule: We are busy designing an office layout in Waterfall office park, Midrand. The client commisioned us to create a simple, minimalist and contemporary space.
Fefe: What inspires most of your designs?
Pule: I draw inspiration from simple but great ideas all around me. Anything that catches my attention in a unique way, sparks a design epiphany.
Fefe: There are beautiful houses in Soweto, do you cater for a specific market?
Pule: Our core focus is the high end market, although we still cater for your middle to upper class…
Fefe: Running a business is never easy, what has kept you going?
Pule: My Faith has kept me going. Faith is a substance of things hoped for and an evidence of things unseen. I’ve had to envision the ‘unseen’ ideal world through Faith, even though the circumstances were almost always difficult.
Fefe: When it comes to women, how do you like them? dark and beautiful or yellow bone?
Pule: I’d rather not to answer that, because I have chosen and married the woman of my Dreams, Lol.
Fefe: Kasi or ‘Burbs…’?
Pule: I’d say the ‘Burbs’,because it would be a new environment for me, which generally inspires growth.
Fefe: And if people would like to get in touch with you guys on social media spaces…?
Pule: IG: @letswalostudio FB: letswalostudio
Twitter: @letswalo_studio
Compiled by: Fefe
Yoh Mooovers , we back at it again it has been a while we haven’t dropped anything on the site but today Sayenza Lento noMdu Cleaning Services. Remember to follow us on Instagram @fefematshobs or Facebook: Kasi Youth Movement. Let’s just get straight into it.
Ikleva featured – Mduduzi Mnisi ( 23 ) Orlando West ( London ) Represent
Fefe: Danko Mdu ,chom yabana, tell us ubani uMdu
Mdu: Danki Buti, Ai Mdu is just an ordinary guy from Ekasi , ngikhule ngidlala ibola , uyazi uku bloma eCorneni nama gents ivurvai nje net. Honestly life became hard after I matriculated in 2015 , my mom was not working at the time and I had to look for a job, which was quite hard to get one until I had lost all hope.
I once told myself that if I do not get a job in three months time Hai ngizo ganga but thank God for my brother who convinced me otherwise, and was very supportive during those hard times.
Fefe: How did your business start ?
Mdu: The business initially started as Sayenza Lento Takkie Wash. There was a guy I knew at the time who was a tour guide Ekasi. So I realized that many of his tourist had dirty sneakers on and I am sure some were stinking. I spoke to a guy by the name of Lebo who owned a BnB that if I could wash their sneakers for just R 15 at that time. He agreed to it and that is how I started and everyone else Ekasi started bringing their sneakers to me.
Fefe: Do you have enough resources to help support your business ?
Mdu: For now I do not have enough resources like car sprays , and cutting machines , remember now I’m doing almost everything including gardening ,so other things I still need to buy from the money I make but I don’t really mind investing much to the business.
Mdu: I started back in 2015 , 2016 was a bad for me. People stopped bringing their sneakers to me. So that was then I decided to expand the business by washing bags , floor carpets and other stuff. So I knew that atleast now there was something I could do each day.
Fefe: What are some of the challenges that you face on a daily basis ?
Mdu: Honestly , I do not have much problems on a daily basis the only problem I have is that I use more water since I wash a lot of items and I am renting the place where Im at .So it means I need to pay more rent money for water.
Fefe: Are you making money ?
Mdu: Sho , Imali ngiyayenza Yona, enough for me to live for the next day ,I can buy myself anything that I want to buy. I am happy with what I’m making.
Fefe: If you were to encourage other young people like yourself to start businesses what would you say and do you think that is the solution to fight unemployment amongst our youth ?
Mdu: Yoh , I used to work at a certain store where I had lift about 30 to 60 bags of cement or bricks that needed to be loaded on a van whenever a client made a purchase. Yoh I would come back home just sleep and do nothing else my back was always in pain. No that is definitely not on . Now I work for myself , and I aslo work with some of my friends in the business. Sonke Spopile ! Starting businesses should be the next big thing.
Fefe : Is there any motto that you live by ?
Mdu: Sayenza Lento
Fefe: Yellow Bone or Darkdindi ?
Mdu: Lol. Darkdindi
Fefe: Kasi or Burbs ?
Mdu: Kasi
Pusha #KYM and you can all reach me on :
WhatsApp:0848765365
Facebook:Sayenza_Lento!
IG:Mdu_cleaning services
Today at #KYM, we celebrate and appreciate a young ambitious businessman from eStartown. A man who from almost nothing, stricken by poverty most of his childhood but was able to use his hands to make ends meet for himself and his family. Today he stands a proud, growing businessman in the construction industry. On Iykleva this week, meet Niclaas Mokhatla a twenty-year old hustler.
Features Niclaas Mokhatla ( 22 ) Naledi (Startown Represent) Soweto
Fefe: Danko King. Can you introduce ubani uNiclaas to our #KYM nation and tell us a bit about your childhood?
Niclaas: My name is Niclaas Mokhatla. I believe in elegance, excellence and being exceptional. I would like to believe that Niclaas is a very creative person, a go-getter, a very hard-working person.
I grew in a small Sowetan township called Naledi. I grew up in a world of poverty, having to look after myself when my mom went out hustling for us to at least have bread. Things were bad and situations soured between my family and landlord to a point where we had to move out to another township, Snake Park.
I started my primary career at Klip Valley Primary School. It wasn’t easy for me as a kid looking after myself. At most times we wouldn’t have electricity and that’s where some of my neighbours realized
my situation and decided to take me in with them just so that I don’t go sleep on an empty stomach.
From there we moved back to Naledi and I attended school at Khuthala Primary School. I passed and went to Thabo Senior Secondary School, at this time at had now grown a little bit so I
started some hustle by helping to cut grass in my neighbourhood. With that money I’d buy myself some necessities and kept the rest for pocket money.
Fefe: So, you currently have your own construction company, how did that come about?
Niclaas: Yes, I have a construction company. I used to cut grass for my neighbours during weekends to make ends meet. I then later met an old man in the area I resided in. He became my source of inspiration and taught me a lot, even built houses with him. This same old man was one of the people who realized my potential and told me I could go further if I take what I do seriously.
From thereon I took it upon myself to learn as much as I can,
experience and the knowledge I gained throughout, I made up my mind that I have so many good qualities to offer in the construction industry and then started my company.
Fefe: As a handyman, what are some of basic tools you need to get a job done?
Niclaas: Yoh, there is quite a lot of tools, so it cannot be just a few. But just to name a few, this type of job requires tools like scuffles, Luther, triller grinder, level, hammer etc.
Fefe: How long have you been running your business?
Niclaas: I have been around in this business from 2016, later I thought of officialising it legally and this was early in 2019.
Fefe: What else can you do?
Niclaas: I am a specialist in tiling, paving, building, plastering, painting, ceiling, roofing.
Fefe: Do you see growth with your business?
Niclaas: Sho, I do see much growth because I always get more new clients. I recently started the business but I get shown so much love and compliments after doing my job. It gives me hope that my
business is growing rapidly. I receive calls almost daily. So, there is growth.
Fefe: Is there anyone you work with in your business, like a partner?
Niclaas: No, I do not have a partner but I have people that I have employed who normally help with some projects I work on.
Fefe: Any challenges?
Niclaas: The most common problem for me is when clients refuse to pay the agreed amount. I understand normally clients would like to negotiate a price at first, but some will still refuse to pay the agreed amount.
Fefe: Kota or Sbindi?
Niclaas: Sbindi is my favourite as a black African man.
Fefe: Ghetto or Burbs?
Niclaas: I’m forever ghetto. But at the same time, for someone who likes quiet and peaceful places, being in suburbs would help me have peace of mind.
Big ups to #KYM for a feature and for contact in regards to business.
Website: http://www.claaskhatlabuildingconstruction.co.za
Facebook : Claaskhatla33 building construction
WhatsApp : 084 016 4482
Phone :067 123 2686
Edited by Thandiwe Neo Fihla
KASI YOUTH MOVEMENT MAGAZINE 