Collecting medication from a clinic or a hospital dispensary in a South African township is by no means easy. The cost of transport to and from the facility including the hours spent in queues, paying for childcare and loss of pay for missing work are only some of the problems faced by those who collect their medication. The elderly and infirm face a terrible nightmare as they are often physically unfit and find it almost impossible to travel the distances required.
“The service encourages people to go to work and stay healthy as they aren't tempted to stop taking their life- saving medication because they have run out,” he says. “What I'm doing is helping to improve people’s quality of life and life expectancy.”
He knew there was a non-profit charity organisations that collect medicine for bed-ridden and elderly people, but there wasn't a similar service for working people. “I thought to myself that I must do something and that surely there must be a need for a service that would streamline the process,” he explains. “I realised it will also take the load off public health facility workers which would in turn allow them to be able to help others who are in desperate need of attention."
“I used to collect medication for my grandma for three years and experienced first-hand what happens, but it isn't only elderly people who are affected. The majority of people who queue for their medicine are able-bodied and waste time that could have been spent at work. These are people who would happily pay for affordable delivery of their medicine, allowing them to save their sick leave – if they get any – for days when they are really ill,” he says.
Sizwe together with his two helpers are social entrepreneurs at heart, and their goals are finding solutions to the problems in their community, and in doing so make a contribution to improving the economy. “We are all about social change and we are coming up with business ideas that can change society, help our community and uplift the economy,” he says. “Business isn't just about making money, but also about bringing about positive change.”
Less overcrowding, better health, more jobs
Sizwe was one of 24 finalists selected from over 200 applications, and one of six chosen to receive seed funding from Forbes. “I couldn't believe it. My business was only starting out; while others were going for at least two years already,” he says. Young people have what it takes to be change makers in South Africa and throughout the world by developing economically viable business solutions that can bring about a positive change in society. “Young people should be the innovators. Every young person needs to decide how they are going to use their power for good,” he says.
He believes that young people have what it takes to be change makers in South Africa and the world, by developing economically viable business solutions that can also bring about positive change in society.
Sizwe and his helpers are also involved in setting up other projects - a recycling business and an initiative to educate people about gangsterism. “Making money is good, but you have to give something back. This is also what they taught us at the Academy,” he says.
“I believe young people have the power to change the world, if the youth can understand this, they will stop focusing on things like drugs and crime. We can change the world, make it safer and improve our economy in this way.”
Sources: BBC Worldwide News & New Generation Africa
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