In light of Botswana's rising youth unemployment crisis, which is estimated to be just below 40%, the country’s new generation is resorting to hustling as a means of survival and success.
Instead of waiting for jobs that may never come, young Batswana are creating their own opportunities in the informal economy through side hustles, freelancing, and micro-enterprises.
For 35-year-old Pelotshweu Moeng, the journey from a human resource management graduate to a hairdresser was not part of the plan, but it was necessary.
"I would not say it is something I have always wanted to do. It is just something I did to survive in the long run. I have learned how to do hair from other youthful women from Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, and other neighbouring countries."
Moeng's story is far from unique. In communities across the country, qualified graduates are turning to hustle economies not by choice, but by circumstance.
According to Evans Motlhokadibi, the founder of Mot-E Hair and Skin Solutions, social media platforms are becoming handy in reaching clients and growing his business.
"The system is rich but the people are poor. The system was not made for informal hustlers; you must bend it or go around it. I encourage the youth to build regional networks, teach each other, and use platforms like TikTok and WhatsApp to bypass gatekeeping and find customers."
Mavis Tshere, a young woman who recently started a hair business, echoed similar frustrations, highlighting the burden many young people carry.
"I saw that if I do not sell anything, I will never get money. I feel time is running out for me, and my family is looking up to me."
Joy Chikura, a life coach and motivational speaker, told NBC News in an interview that the actions of Botswana's young generation are a response to a crisis.
"This new generation of graduates is redefining what it means to survive and thrive in a broken economic system. This is resilience amidst a crisis."
Whether it is selling skincare products, food, hair services or secondhand clothes, Botswana's youth are writing their own economic scripts. And while the system may be economically broken, they are proving daily that hustle is a language they speak fluently.