Mtembeni Jange (39), from Umtata in the Eastern Cape, discovered his passion for retail – specifically the buying and selling of goods - while participating in Entrepreneurship Day as a teenager in high school.

After finishing school, he pursued his dream and enrolled for a 1-year Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority (WRSETA) programme. With more than 3 years’ retail experience, he joined the Shoprite Group in 2005 as a Trainee Manager.

During his 17 years with the retailer, he has displayed great commitment and leadership in various roles across the Group – including Sales Manager, Branch Manager and Regional Manager – before taking up the position of Deputy Divisional Manager for Shoprite Eastern Cape.

He thrives in leading and motivating those around him. “I live by the saying of shooting for the moon, because even if I miss, I’ll land among the stars. I often share this with my team to keep them motivated, because I do believe that hard work, commitment and not being afraid to fail helps one grow and reach your goals,” adds Jange.

The Shoprite Group is South Africa’s largest private sector employer with over 140 000 employees, excluding indirect employment. Despite the effect of the lockdown and unrest on retail trade, the Group still managed to create 4 608 new jobs in South Africa in the past financial year.

Read more about how the Shoprite Group continues to invest in creating jobs and providing thousands of young people with retail skills into 2022.