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October 18, 2005
The Determined One
Four years ago I went home to South Africa and spent a lot of time photographing and sketching kids. One particular child caught my attention. He was a fourteen-year old dropout who had left school because his family could hardly afford to feed him and his six siblings, let alone pay for their schooling. His name was Mark Magubane.
I was sketching some kids in my old neighborhood in Johannesburg one day when Mark approached me and asked if I would draw him. While I was sketching, we enjoyed a great conversation about the new South Africa and how black Africans can finally have a chance to own a business.
“I’m going to start my own company,” he said, confidently.
“That’s great.” I said. “ What kind of company?”
“I’m not sure, but it will be a good one. I’m collecting money right now to get started.” he said.
I’d heard that statement before. From almost every street kid in Johannesburg!
But something was different about Mark. I couldn’t quite figure it out, but it was there.
Mark’s plight touched me. I contributed twenty-five dollars to the cause.
Today, four years later, I was speaking to my mum on the phone. She was telling me about a friend of hers who employs Mark’s Aunty Lolo. My mum's friend said Aunty Lolo told her that Mark is now a successful businessman in Johannesburg and doing very well for himself.
Apparently he has TWO portable shoeshine boxes and employs his cousin Phineas to help maintain one of them. Mark’s shoeshine boxes are made from wooden wine crates given to him by my mother’s friend.
Franchising is on Mark’s mind because, according to my mum, Mark is planning on expanding his business to four shoeshine boxes in the near future.
Well-done Mark Magubane!
When I go home in January I know where I’m going to have my shoes taken care of.
Posted by trevor at October 18, 2005 04:06 PM
Comments
What a touching story. You live the most amazing life!
Posted by: kim at October 19, 2005 08:36 AM