Elsie Mpanza is benefiting from the Tsoga Microfinance Services, Elsie is a 48 year old woman with 3 children; Two of her children are attending school at Ben Viljoen Hoer Skool in Groblersdal. Her husband is currently sick and cannot work, hence this make her to be the sole breadwinner in the family.
Her business focuses on manufacturing and upholstery. Elsie used to struggle to meet the demand of her clients in the village to produce beddings, curtains and traditional clothes. Elsie argues that her products were always in demand, but the problem was to getting finance for enough material.
Elsie joined Tsoga Microfinance Services in 2006. she is from the group called Diarora, Elsie is on her 4th loan with Tsoga and has taken R 3,000.00. She has now bought an industrial machine with the money from the organization. She says that her production is faster than before with the acquisition of the new machine. She argues that this has been her dream for a long time to acquire such a big machine.
She has managed to get two tenders: One from a local hospital and the other with a local Motel to produce beddings and curtains. Thanks to the industrial machine!
She is also in negotiation with the local chief to offer her a site since she can see the opportunity of expanding the upholstery business.
She has also employed 3 extra people in her business, two on a full time basis. The 2 are young women from the same village and the 3rd person helps on a part time basis in the upholstery business, which depends on orders (demand).
She said: “One has to share God’s blessing with others who are less advantaged and who cannot access opportunities”.
Therefore helps alleviate unemployment by creating job opportunities.
