Qualifying as a Chartered Accountant was a dream come true, especially considering my humble beginnings. Growing up in Tsimanyane, a rural village in Limpopo province, our family of eight siblings relied on my father’s work as a gardener and carpentry piece jobs, and my mother’s participation in government community projects aimed at alleviating poverty. To help make ends meet, my siblings and I often sold door-to-door the vegetables harvested from the farming project my mother participated in.
Starting my academic journey at the University of Johannesburg was challenging. Coming from a school where most English subjects were explained in our mother tongue. This language barrier eroded my confidence because it was intimidating to approach the lectures, forcing me to navigate my first year largely on my own. However, these struggles were pivotal to my personal growth.
In 2017 after becoming a SAICA member a strong desire to give back always lingered within me but due to time constraints, I was unable to act on my desire. The COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 provided me with the time to explore new interests, and with the influence of podcasts, I discovered a new passion for e-commerce business. This newfound passion led me to delve into the world of online retail, researching its operations and uncovering the secrets to its success.
To explore various e-commerce models, I built three online stores from scratch, all without the assistance of website developers. In today's digital age, learning new skills is entirely within reach with internet access. Two of these stores followed the dropshipping model, where I partnered with suppliers who managed the fulfillment process. The third store was a traditional retail model, where I took on the responsibility of inventory management and deliveries. Each venture was a hands-on experiment, pushing my boundaries and deepening my understanding of the e-commerce landscape.
Seeing the widespread issue of unemployment affecting almost everyone I knew; I was inspired to use my newfound skills to make a tangible difference. I partnered with my friend Duncan Makgaila, who himself was unemployed, to create Dietashoes.com, an online footwear retail business with the potential to become one of South Africa’s leading online retailers. Our mission is to create jobs, especially for the youth.
At Dieta footwear, we offer a curated selection of sneakers, smart casual, and formal shoes designed to enhance your style and comfort. Each purchase directly supports our mission to create employment opportunities. By choosing Dieta footwear, you’re not just buying a pair of shoes—you’re making a meaningful impact.
Visit us at www.dietashoes.com and discover footwear that looks good, feels great, and does good. Let's walk this path together and make a meaningful impact.