KwaThema – Nhlakanipho Bukali is a promising young businessman in his community.
Last year he has started a carpentry business, Planka Designs, designing and making stylish furniture out of pallets and old car tyres.
Nhlakanipho says he started the company last year after seeing a gap in the market.
“I was not working at the time and found it hard to find a job.
“One day I decided to start my own business and carpentry was the only skill I had.
“Together with a friend I decided to invest some savings and we bought our first materials.
“We designed chairs for our bedrooms and people in the area saw our work and fell in love with it.
“The orders started piling up and we decided to re-invest the profit to grow the business,“ he says.
The first year events management student says he is currently working with eight young people from the community.
“I am happy the business is growing daily and I am able to empower and teach some of the unemployed youth,” he says.
Nhlakanipho says one of the big challenges he is currently facing is a shortage of space.
“I work from my bedroom and neighbour’s home. We don’t have storage,” he says.
Nhlakanipho says he sells his products and also rents them out during weddings, photo shoots and other events.
“People love and appreciate my designs and this makes me proud. I work daily to grow the business to greater heights.
“I would like one day to supply different companies nationwide,“ he says.
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