GEORGE NEWS - He developed a passion for business when he was in Grade 5 at MM Mateza Primary School, selling sweets together with friends. Today, the 22-year-old Anele Gunya, fondly known as Topshayela, has five businesses running under his brand: Topshayela Clothing, Topshayela Printing, Topshayela Modelling, Topshayela Photographs and Topshayela Graphics.
Anele's roots lie in Limpopo Province, but he grew up in Thembalethu, George and attended Thembalethu High.
His mother Pathiswa raised him, together with his two older brothers, as a single parent. At the age of 16, with only R128 to his name, he took the leap and started his own clothing label.
Topshayela Graphics keeps him busy creating and selling portraits of celebrities such as DJ Sbu, Thando Thabethe, Lunga Shabalala, KO and Katlego Maboe. He used to work at the Department of Social Development, but decided to resign and focus on building his artistic talent.
"There are challenges to overcome when one starts out a local business," Anele told George Herald. "No investors and a lack of support from the so-called government officials, so as a young business leader you need to dig deep in your pocket to get your business running smoothly."
He also believes that it is more important in business to work together than to focus on competitors. "As an entrepreneur if you want to go fast, work alone, but if you want to go far, you need to work as a team," he says.
After six years in the business, Anele encourages the youth of the Eden region to take their chances in any business opportunity, and help our fellow citizens get employment. "As we all know, jobs are very scarce nowadays. As South African youth we need to stand up and create more jobs opportunities," he says.
Anele "Topshayela" Gunya displays his Topshayela clothing label. Photo: Zama Gagu
"Topshayela" with one of his artworks. Photo: Zama Gagu
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