By Sbongile Sokela
Gugu Khoza’s journey into entrepreneurship began with resilience, resourcefulness, and a vision for something greater. Long before she officially launched her nail business, she was already finding ways to earn an income, selling items and offering services from as young as six years old. “What inspired me to start a business was unemployment. After graduating, I couldn’t find a job, so I knew the only option I had was to sell or do something. I started selling and rendering services for cash at the age of six in primary school and continued in high school,” she recalls.
In 2021, she joined the W\&RSETA ITEMAD programme, which came with a R3,000 stipend. That money became the seed that launched her nail business. “I saw a market because there were only two nail salons I knew at that time. The stipend allowed me to stock up everything I needed to start,” she explains.
Her work history was short but revealing, six months at Woolworths Coffee Shop and three months at IDA Attorneys, yet she noticed something important about herself. “I learn very fast. When I work for someone, I would be mistreated and hated by management simply because what took them five years to learn would take me three months to master.”
Like many entrepreneurs, her biggest challenge was funding. “Luckily, W\&RSETA was there to assist my business,” she says. Their support didn’t stop after the first grant. In 2023, they visited to see her progress. At that time, she was still operating with unbranded products, but what happened next changed everything.
“They took us to Kenya, where I learned how people from other countries come to South Africa and thrive. From that trip, my business has grown. I’ve built a salon, I have eight employees, I have branded my products, I’m an award-winning entrepreneur, I have a mentor, and I run a proper business model,” she says proudly.
Her message to aspiring entrepreneurs is clear and full of hope. “Nothing is impossible. It doesn’t matter where you come from or your background, it’s possible to live the life you want. There are so many opportunities out there. W\&RSETA offers business support, learnerships, bursaries, and even a career guidance toolkit to help choose the right career and apply to higher institutions.”
She now mentors other entrepreneurs, sharing what she has learned. “In June 2025, five of them got grants in the form of stock from W\&RSETA, along with training to grow their businesses from informal to formal,”she says. She also works with schools to guide learners in choosing the right subjects from Grade 10, calculating APS scores in Grade 11, and applying for higher education in Grade 12, especially for careers in the retail sector.
Her advice is practical yet deeply personal. “W\&RSETA is there to help you grow your business. Check their website for opportunities. I also mentor, so come to me for advice because entrepreneurship can be lonely. Don’t give up, believe in yourself, and pray for your business. Honestly speaking, Jehovah has been there for me throughout my journey. Feed your mind with positive thoughts.”
