Vala Sbali in Diepkloof opens more than taxi doors

The Vala Sbali Taxi Door Repair franchise idea started in Diepkloof in 1989 as a family business.

They then established outlets in Durban, Isipingo, and Pietermaritzburg after years were spent refining their business model and their technical skills.

The family business steadily grew and they had to expand their services which included designing tools and spare parts that were not often available from motor vehicle spares suppliers.

The popularity of the services offered by Vala Sbali has created a demand that now exceeds their capacity, according to Bheki Magubane of Vala Sbali in Diepkloof, they have expanded their services to private cars too.

Magubane explained that they’ve had to fix many parts from taxis other than only doors.

He said, “If we cannot repair a part, we replace it or refer the client to people who can because most times it is more than the taxi door that gets broken.”

Mkhulu Nala was the one with the dream to grow the family business to such an extent that he took orphans in and taught them the trade while feeding them and giving them shelter.

Magubane said, “We have people who are now working for Vula Sbali who were taught and mentored by us.”

Nala had a dream to have more franchises, but that dream was delayed after his passing away.

Magubane said, “Even though Mkhulu’s dream may have had a hiccup, we are planning to continue with it.”

For our social development, we prospect giving students the opportunity to do their practicals so they can earn experience for job opportunities.

Senzo Nene is a taxi driver from Orlando who had the door of his taxi fixed at the Vala Sbali workshop in Diepkloof.

He said, “This place has made things very easy for us, I have been here for less than 10 minutes and my door is fixed.”

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