Themba Mahlalela (27) 
is using his passion for fitness, health and wellbeing to uplift his community and to help young people fight obesity, unhealthy lifestyles and substance abuse.
As the country commemorates Youth Month to honour the role that young people played in the fight against apartheid and the Soweto Uprising of 1976, Vuk’uzenzele spoke to Mahlalela, the owner of Channel 2 Fitness Gym at Ezinambeni in the Emalahleni Local Municipality, Mpumalanga.
Channel 2 Fitness Gym is a community‑focused fitness hub that offers dynamic, group‑oriented workouts and boot camps. It provides lifestyle services including group training, aerobics, functional training, personal training, boot camps, sports conditioning and weightlifting at a lower cost.
Mahlalela is not driven by profit but is devoted to seeing his fellow residents lead a healthy lifestyle. He regularly hosts boot camps and short‑distance marathons for locals free of charge. This helps to promote fitness and motivates members of his community to exercise regularly.
“I started building the gym in 2018 and opened its doors in 2022. I decided to build on the stand that my parents own,” explained Mahlalela, who is also a certified personal trainer.
Because he has already built a reputation in and around Emalahleni, Mahlalela often gets invited to teach groups about health and wellness. He also organises team‑building events and boot camps for schoolchildren free of charge.
In 2022, the gym received a R60 000 grant from the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), which helped Mahlalela buy equipment. This helped him attract more clients, which ultimately led to the creation of four permanent jobs for residents.
He was also able to buy more equipment through the Asset Assist Programme of the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEFDA), which further increased membership to approximately 100 individuals.
In 2025, the gym won first place at the Mpumalanga Bambelela Business Awards. This validated Mahlalela’s efforts in pursuing social entrepreneurship and developing his community. He encouraged young people to chase their dreams and work while they are still young.
“Government has various opportunities and initiatives that support young business owners. Register your business and apply for those opportunities, and you will realise that it is a privilege to be a young person living in South Africa today,” he concluded.
For more information, WhatsApp: 065 875 6621 TikTok: @coachzuzu Facebook: @zuzuthemba
For more information about NYDA visit www.nyda.gov.za
SEDFA can be reached at www.sedfa.org.za
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