Lebowane Matheba from Limpopo started his online cleaning service Maid Rentals to address the issue of unemployment, while also providing affordable cleaning services. He chats to us about his business.
My first business was manufacturing cleaning chemicals this included the likes of bubble bath and bleaches, but the market became saturated and I found myself with lots of chemicals and nothing to do with them. While taking a jog the idea came to me to start maid rentals which will provide affordable cleaning services, while also creating employment for women. It was in 2016 that I launched Maid Rentals.
SEE ALSO: 5 things your domestic worker contract must entail
My business operates similar to Uber. I have a website but I am developing an app which will be launched in August. It’s simple, you go to our website www.maidrentals.co.za fill out your address, contact details and specifications of your house such as the number of rooms you have and what kind of services you would like. On the date that you’ve chosen a domestic worker will knock on your door and start cleaning. We also provide cleaning services for businesses, industrial spaces and offices.
We also provide additional services. The basics are washing dishes, spring cleaning, sweeping and mopping, these services start from about R200 and prices increase depending on the size of your house and additional services you might pick like polishing shoes, washing your clothes, or cleaning your oven. I did my research by speaking to domestic workers to find out how much they would charge for these services. You also have the option to take on a domestic worker on a permanent basis in which case we help them negotiate their salary.
SEE ALSO: BrownSense CEO Mzuzukile Soni talks about starting a movement
We are currently operating in Polokwane, Lephalale, Centurion and Midrand. Our business is growing and we have over 30 clients in each area that we operate. Our goal is to go national by 2020 then go continental and eventually becoming a global service, like Uber. We recruited these ladies from these areas.
We wanted to ensure that the clients get professional cleaning services at a price that they can afford, but also that domestic workers do not feel exploited. They have a flexible job and can work for several clients at different times. Our main clients at the moment are young professionals as well as the elderly.
