Starting a business is difficult at the best of times. Starting one with your mother's last R10,000 takes a different kind of determination.

That was the position Hloni Motaung found himself in after his mother, who had been retrenched, gave him the money to start something of his own. Not long afterwards, she passed away.

Rather than letting the opportunity slip away, he used that R10,000 to launch what would become SouthSide Grills in Protea Glen, Soweto.

Today, the business has built a loyal following, serving everything from kotas and burgers to other comfort-food favourites. But long before customers were lining up for a meal, there was simply a young entrepreneur trying to make the most of a chance he had been given.

Building a business from limited resources is rarely straightforward. Like many small business owners across South Africa, Hloni has had to navigate rising costs, economic pressure, and the day-to-day realities of running a growing operation.

Yet the business continues to grow, driven by the same belief that started it.

His story reflects a reality often overlooked in discussions about entrepreneurship. Many successful businesses do not begin with large investments or elaborate business plans. They begin with a small opportunity, a great deal of hard work, and someone willing to take a chance.

In a country where youth unemployment remains one of South Africa's biggest challenges, stories like this offer a reminder that entrepreneurship continues to create opportunities in communities across the country.

Just the Facts

• Business: SouthSide Grills
• Founder: Hloni Motaung
• Location: Protea Glen, Soweto
• Starting Capital: R10,000 provided by his mother
• Known For: Kotas, burgers, and comfort food
• Address: 7737 Lehele Street, Protea Glen, Soweto
• Best for: Big appetites, comfort food cravings, supporting local entrepreneurs
• Follow them: @south_sidegrills on Instagram

The Bottom Line

Some investments are measured in money. Others are measured in faith.

For Hloni Motaung, his mother's R10,000 was both. What started as a small act of belief has grown into a business that continues to serve its community while honouring the opportunity that made it possible.