07 Sep 2017

Gone are the days when certain chores were deemed the domain of either men or women.

This is because lack of employment means people cannot afford to label roles as belonging to a particular group.

Mr Joseph Matseka, 36, who runs Sweet Pearls Laundry Services, is living proof that such thinking belongs in the past.

His services include laundry, ironing, shoe wash and repairing and other related services.

Mr Matseka is an inspiration to other males that they should not confine themselves to traditional beliefs, especially when it comes to business ventures.

“When we were growing up, we knew that domestic chores such as laundry were regarded as female activities.

It was taboo for a male to be seen doing them,” he said.

Although people still express shock after learning about his business, Mr Matseka is unfazed.

In the initial stages of the project, many dismissed him as an attention seeker, but the enthusiasm and passion he conducts his job with, shows he is a content man.

Everybody is free to seek his services and Mr Matseka has no qualms washing women’s clothes.

It was not difficult for him to find his feet considering that personal hygiene was something he took seriously.

“I have always had an interest to venture in a project that would encourage issues of personal hygiene, hence I settled for laundry services,” he said.

Mr Matseka started off relatively small, operating from his backyard, but the demand for his services and clientele increased, forcing him to apply for the Youth Development Fund (YDF) to expand.

He now rents a bigger place where he operates from.

As luck would have it, he got assisted last year with P99 000 and spent it on washing machines, dryers and other equipment.

He said his job is without challenges and deals with difficult customers but makes sure he provides good service.

Mr Matseka said some of his customers have developed trust in him and his services and were able to make upfront payments. Ends