A new storage facility, MystorageSA, situated in the Kayamandi area, which launched earlier in February, has helped to generate jobs and economic opportunities for the Kayamandi community.
MystorageSA has employed over 50 people between the development of the building and the employment of security guards.
“These jobs have helped a lot,” said Nokuthula Managa-Gugushe, the Kayamandi Councillor of Ward 12. “I now see some of these workers in Pick n Pay and [that] makes me happy because I know they are getting food on the table…[W]e all understand the situation we are facing in South Africa.”
“Honestly speaking it changed the economy [of Ward 12],” she said. “Some of the people are now able to pay transport fees for their kids that are starting school across the road.”
The director and shareholder of MyStorageSA, Johan Oosthuizen, said that Managa-Gugushe’s help assisted the company in giving the right jobs to the right people and in identifying those who really needed a job.
“When we first started [building] here we had a lot of discussions with workers. Everybody wanted to have a job here. We eventually had to get Nokuthula in and her help has been tremendous,” stated Oosthuizen.
Former South African rugby player and ambassador of MyStorageSA, Toks van der Linde, said that he was proud to be involved in the project and that he supported the investment that was being made into the Kayamandi community.
“From my side it [becoming involved] was easy,” he said. “It’s great to invest [in areas of need] and I think that’s a major point of this place.”
Kayamandi councillor of ward 12, Nokuthula Managa-Gugushe, former rugby player, Toks van der Linde, and Austin Hunter Group marketing manager Louis Franken at the MyStorageSA launch. PHOTO: Tyler Setzer
The community’s response has been positive, said Luvuyo Nobhacu, Kayamandi local and Austin Hunter Group security guard. “Everyone is very excited,” he said.
Working at the storage facility is about more than just bringing in money, said Reginald Fortuin, security employee for the Austin Hunter Group and member of the Cloetesville community. “Working here also means meeting new people, making friends and making business contacts,” Fortuin stated.
MyStorageSA’s facilities in Kayamandi. PHOTO: Tyler Setzer