Shimza Opens Up About The Hang Awt Struggles and Possible Exit From Business

Shimza Opens Up About The Hang Awt Struggles and Possible Exit From Business. South African DJ, producer and entrepreneur Shimza has opened up about the challenges of running his Tembisa-based business, The Hang Awt, saying he is considering walking away from the venture after reaching a point where he believes it may no longer be sustainable.

In a Facebook post, Shimza said he created The Hang Awt in the township with the intention of creating opportunities for young people rather than making large profits.

He said his goal was to build something that could create jobs, teach skills, provide experiences and contribute to the community that raised him. He added that he would have been satisfied if the business could break even and sustain itself.

However, Shimza said the business exposed him to a difficult side of entrepreneurship that he had not previously discussed publicly.

According to the DJ, he found himself owing people significant amounts of money because of mistakes made by people he had trusted to run the business. He said that while everyone is happy when business is performing well and people are paid, responsibility falls on him when circumstances change.

Shimza said the experience had also forced him to take responsibility for decisions he made, including trusting other people to manage the business while he was occupied with his core career in music and DJing.

“The reality is that my core business is music and DJing,” he said, explaining that this is where most of his time, energy and attention needs to go.

He also raised concerns about money allegedly going missing and stock not being properly accounted for, saying that such issues made running the business increasingly difficult.

Shimza said theft affects more than the investor because it can also affect employees and families who depend on jobs created by the business.

Despite describing himself as someone who does not give up easily, Shimza said walking away from The Hang Awt may not necessarily mean giving up.

“Sometimes, walking away isn’t giving up,” he said, adding that it can mean accepting that something is no longer sustainable in the way originally hoped.

Shimza also used his experience to highlight the importance of accountability in entrepreneurship. He encouraged business owners to believe in people and provide opportunities, but said systems should be put in place to protect what has been built.

“Trust is important, but trust without accountability can be very expensive,” he said.

While he said he was proud of what was created in Tembisa and the people who were part of it, Shimza said he was now trying to make a decision that protects himself, his future and the people he remains responsible for.