YOBA is an initiative by Pat on Brands, aimed at recognising brands that are owned and run by the youth in South Africa.

Pat on Brands says that it is devastated by the unexpected loss experienced by a youth-owned business in Soweto, MDU CLEANING SERVICES, as their premises caught fire due to load-shedding.

MDU CLEANING SERVICE is a convenient cleaning service company founded by Mduduzi Mnisi.

According to MDU CLEANING SERVICES, "Our main facility, which we use not only for our cleaning services but also for storage caught fire as a result of a short cause by a resurgence of electricity after the third phase of load-shedding stage 4."

"The business not only used its premises for cleaning services but for storage use as well, which was a great contributor to the premises catching fire. Cleaning products are highly flammable, causing the fire to spread and not only burn the premises but also burn the possessions of the customers," adds MDU CLEANING SERVICES.

The company initially started in 2015 in Soweto, Orlando as 'Sayenza Lento Tekkie Wash' meaning 'We doing this', translated to English, and later changed the name to MDU CLEANING SERVICES. The company provides cleaning services for shoes, bags, cars and carpets.

Pat on Brands says that it took it upon itself to offer a helping hand to MDU CLEANING SERVICES by donating a sum of R 5 000 to help them bring their business back to life again.

The Pat on Brands initiative, YOBA does not only exist to celebrate and recognise youth-owned brands, but it exists to also empower and uplift the youth of South Africa.

"Just over a week ago, we were celebrating youth-owned brands at the Top 16 Youth Owned Brands Awards. As a youth-owned business ourselves, we see it fit to lend a helping hand to fellow youth-owned business, Mdu Cleaning Services. We believe that what we can offer them can make a huge difference and help their business rise from the ashes," concludes Pat Mahlangu, founder and CEO of Pat on Brands / Lerato Agency.

According to Pat on Brands, South African youth have a long history of challenging the status quo. To this day, the youth are the drivers of economic growth and job creation in South Africa.

Small businesses play a key role in growing our economy and creating jobs for over 60% of the country's population. This means that the more support this small business receives, the more people they can employ and the more successful and stronger our country becomes, according to Pat on Brands.

For more information, visit www.patonbrands.com. You can also follow the Top 16 Youth-Owned Awards on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram.