Just two weeks after Pat on Brands celebrated the efforts that the youth of South Africa have made, and continue to make, towards the shared economic future of South Africa at the inaugural Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards (YOBA). YOBA is an initiative by Pat on Brands, aimed at recognizing brands that are owned and run by the youth in South Africa. We as Pat on Brands, are devastated by the unexpected loss experienced by a youth-owned business in Soweto (MDU CLEANING SERVICES) as their premises caught fire due to loadshedding.
According to a statement by MDU CLEANING SERVICES yesterday: “Our main facility which we use not only for our cleaning services but also for storage caught fire as a result of a short cause by a resurgence of electricity after the third phase of loadshedding stage 4.” The business not only used its premises for cleaning services, but for storage use as well – which was a great contributor to the premises catching fire. Cleaning products are highly flammable, causing the fire to spread and not only burn the premises, but also burn the possessions of the customers”.
MDU Cleaning Service
MDU CLEANING SERVICE is a convenient cleaning service company founded by Mduduzi Mnisi. The company initially started in 2015 in Soweto, Orlando as ‘Sayenza Lento Tekkie Wash’ meaning “We doing this”, translated to English and later changed the name to MDU CLEANING SERVICES. The company provides cleaning services for shoes, bags, cars and carpets.
Pat on Brands Offers Help
For a brand that is on the pulse with the youth such as Pat on Brands, we took it upon ourselves to offer a helping hand to MDU CLEANING SERVICES by donating a sum of R 5 000 to help them bring their business back to life again. The Pat on Brands initiative, YOBA does not only exist to celebrate and recognise youth-owned brands, but it exists to also empower and uplift the youth of South Africa.
“Just over a week ago, we were celebrating youth-owned brands at the Top 16 Youth Owned Brands Awards. As a youth owned business ourselves, we see it fit to lend a helping hand to fellow youth-owned business – Mdu Cleaning Services. We believe that what we can offer them can make a huge difference and help their business rise from the ashes”, says Pat Mahlangu – Founder and CEO of Pat on Brands / Lerato Agency
South African youth have a long history of challenging the status quo. On 16 June 1976 – the date we now know as Youth Day. Till this day, the youth are the drivers of economic growth and job creation in South Africa.
Small businesses play a key role in growing our economy and creates jobs for over 60% of the country’s population. This means that the more support this small business receives, the more people they can employ, the more successful and stronger our country becomes.
It will be wonderful to see other businesses, brands, and companies that have the capacity to offer a helping and grow our economy.
