IN CONVERSATION WITH Lulamani Makwarela (Founder and managing director)
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In a country where youth unemployment remains one of the most pressing social challenges, Lulamani Makwarela, a young South African entrepreneur, is making a tangible difference in his community through his company, Smatilo Trading Enterprise (Pty) Ltd.
Founded in 2020, Smatilo specializes in commercial, residential, and automotive cleaning services. But beyond providing high-quality cleaning solutions, Makwarela has made it a personal mission to tackle unemployment by creating opportunities for young people.
Currently, seven previously unemployed youth have been given steady work at Smatilo, gaining valuable skills, training, and a source of income. “I may not be able to solve unemployment for every young person in South Africa, but I can do my part,” Makwarela says. “Every job we create, every skill we teach, helps a young person take control of their future.”
Smatilo’s approach combines professionalism with mentorship. Employees are trained in eco-friendly and hospital-grade cleaning practices, ensuring they gain experience that could help them secure work elsewhere or even start their own ventures. The company’s growth has demonstrated that small businesses can play a crucial role in addressing structural unemployment while contributing to the economy.
Makwarela, who is himself part of South Africa’s youth demographic, believes young people have a responsibility to lift each other up. “Being young doesn’t mean we sit back and wait for opportunities — we create them. I’m proud that through Smatilo, I’m helping other young people gain a foothold in the workforce and develop skills they can carry forward.”
The company operates across Gauteng, providing cleaning services for offices, homes, and vehicles, all while maintaining high standards of efficiency, professionalism, and integrity. But its impact goes beyond service delivery — it serves as a model of how entrepreneurship can address social challenges.
As South Africa continues to grapple with high youth unemployment rates, stories like Makwarela’s highlight the power of small businesses in driving change from the ground up. For Makwarela, it’s simple: “If I can help even a few young people, I’m doing my part to build a stronger, more resilient South Africa.”
Founded in 2020, Smatilo specializes in commercial, residential, and automotive cleaning services. But beyond providing high-quality cleaning solutions, Makwarela has made it a personal mission to tackle unemployment by creating opportunities for young people.
Currently, seven previously unemployed youth have been given steady work at Smatilo, gaining valuable skills, training, and a source of income. “I may not be able to solve unemployment for every young person in South Africa, but I can do my part,” Makwarela says. “Every job we create, every skill we teach, helps a young person take control of their future.”
Smatilo’s approach combines professionalism with mentorship. Employees are trained in eco-friendly and hospital-grade cleaning practices, ensuring they gain experience that could help them secure work elsewhere or even start their own ventures. The company’s growth has demonstrated that small businesses can play a crucial role in addressing structural unemployment while contributing to the economy.
Makwarela, who is himself part of South Africa’s youth demographic, believes young people have a responsibility to lift each other up. “Being young doesn’t mean we sit back and wait for opportunities — we create them. I’m proud that through Smatilo, I’m helping other young people gain a foothold in the workforce and develop skills they can carry forward.”
The company operates across Gauteng, providing cleaning services for offices, homes, and vehicles, all while maintaining high standards of efficiency, professionalism, and integrity. But its impact goes beyond service delivery — it serves as a model of how entrepreneurship can address social challenges.
As South Africa continues to grapple with high youth unemployment rates, stories like Makwarela’s highlight the power of small businesses in driving change from the ground up. For Makwarela, it’s simple: “If I can help even a few young people, I’m doing my part to build a stronger, more resilient South Africa.”
