Qetello Baloyi
Nominee's Province:
Limpopo
Age:
Project Name/Description:
Founder – Buddyz on the Move
Equipped with a BSc (Hons) in Environmental and Resource Studies from the University of Limpopo, Qetello Baloyi not only cares for the environment but values the people inhabiting it as well. Baloyi founded Buddyz on the Move, an after-school programme which offers performing arts and other interactive language activities such as debates, spelling bee, storytelling and reading skills. She also runs Glaring Bellas, a business that sells ponytails and aspires to penetrate the beauty market. When Baloyi found her voice by exploring her creative side, she committed herself to showing others how to use the arts for healing, personal development and livelihood. At the moment, Baloyi employs two hundred people on a temporary basis. Baloyi was named second runner-up in the Existing Business: Social Impact category at the 2023 EDHE Entrepreneurship Intervarsity competitions. “South Africa, like any family, has its high and lows. With some sectors being more challenging to maintain than others, our state might give a collapsing image, but there is still hope. Hope from the progress and opportunities that are there in our country,” states Baloyi. According to Baloyi, Buddyz on the Move raised over R1m in stipend payments for its team members from the Department of Social Development. It has also increased its revenue from R14 000 to R24 000 a month.
