(CNN) -- Suede slip-ons, elegant high-heels or lace-up brogues -- whatever shoes you wear in an important business meeting you want to look your shiny best. Some people apply polish with a brush and others choose a cloth, while those coming from afar often leave the task to the capable hands of craftsmen who can make travel-worn footwear look like brand new. If someone has shined your shoes in a South African airport, it's probably thanks to Lere Mgayiya. "We're the biggest shoe-shine company in Africa," he explains without sounding arrogant. "In Johannesburg we shine about 350 pairs of shoes a day, and about 120 pairs in Cape Town and another 120 in Durban." In total, Lere's Shoe Shine business has 45 employees across the three major airports, and the boss is now eyeing partnerships in America and UK, as well as expansion across Africa.
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Lere Mgayiya spent five years working for South Africa Airways
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He worked with livestock on his family's business
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Winning the Sandlam Money Game on TV led to a quick cash injection
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Now, his shoeshining business has 45 staff and turnover of more than 2.5 million rand
But things weren't always on such a sure footing for @placeholder.