17 August 2007
In an effort to boost self-employment in the country, the Usobomvu Youth Fund (UYF) is assisting 250 youngsters with start-up capital to sell prepaid airtime vouchers and energy drinks, as well as to become “Pimps” – positively intelligently motivated persons.
The 250 were chosen from various UYF databases.
The government-endorsed youth organisation has entered into a partnership with local company Mojalife that will see Pimps around South Africa distributing prepaid airtime and PimpJuice, a non-carbonated energy drink created by US rapper Nelly.
The St Louis-based musician, whose real name is Cornell Haynes junior, has also released a song named after the drink, which sells over 2-million cans a month in the US.
“We have a very big year planned for Derrty ENT (Nelly’s record label), Apple Bottoms, and Pimp Juice,” Nelly explained on the official PimpJuice website earlier this year.
“I am very excited about the new pimp juice flavour coming out this summer. I am continuously amazed by PimpJuice and hip hop’s success overseas, and am very excited about visiting South Africa for personal and promotional reasons,” Nelly said.
PimpJuice will be distributed and licensed under Mojalife, a company headed by local businessman Matthews Phosa. It will be produced and manufactured in South Africa, with plans to supply Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Israel.
“The person that sells the most PimpJuice at the end of 24 months will receive a BMW 116i vehicle and will have their entire loan paid back to UYF by Mojalife,” Phosa said in a statement earlier this month.
“The person who comes second will receive a holiday valued at R25 000, while number three will receive an X-Box and games valued at R5 000.”
There is also a retail distribution opportunity for youth-owned companies who want to start or expand their businesses. Distributors will also be given rights per area to supply retail chain stores, pubs, restaurant other prospective buyers.
The partnership between the two organisations will provide youngsters with a unique opportunity of being part of an international brand and will help them establish business with large companies and other world brands.
Pimp My Ride
The relationship will also see Mojalife, using the branding of PimpJuice, venturing into television. The partners recently signed a deal with UK-based Screen Ventures and MTV Networks to shoot 52 episodes of the international television series “Pimp My Ride” in South Africa.
The popular show sees young people writing in to have their old, damaged and sometimes written-off cars given a new lease on life by being re-vamped, customised and made better than new by a team of motor mechanics and customisers.
“Pimp My Ride” is currently screened in the original US version and as “Pimp My Ride UK” and “Pimp My Ride International”, which focuses on Europe. Also mooted for local television audiences is a hip-hop reality show based on the “Idols” format.
The winner could possibly receive a two-year recording contract with Nelly’s Derrty ENT record company.
Source: BuaNews
