#MakingIt – Making a living from carpentry
He has customers from as far as Mpumalanga.
29-year-old Mr Halord Mkolokosa makes a living from building wooden furniture and dog kennels.
The Malawian national started working as a gardener in South Africa, where he received a low salary.
“The money was so little that I couldn’t look after my family back in Malawi. I had to quit the job,” said the father of one.
He said in 2014 he had to work with a friend in building wooden houses and furniture.
This helped him to sharpen his skill as a carpenter.
Even though he couldn’t come up with the capital, in 2014 Mr Mkolokosa organised a few basic tools and ventured into his own enterprise.
“I had R5 000 and bought four essential machines. I had no customers then but now I build these wooden products for township and suburban customers,” said Mr Mkolokosa.
He said he has customers from as far as Mpumalanga.
“I call my small roadside workshop Wooden Carpenter and Joiner. This business employs six willing people. I started with only two helpers. It is a sustainable business,” he said.
He said the challenges they face in the business are electricity cuts and water problems.
“We built dog kennels, wendy houses, benches and other wooden items.”
He said one day he hopes to have his own transport to deliver his customers’ orders.
“People must create their own jobs because there is no employment at all. Every day life requires money. We must fend for ourselves,” he said.
People can call 084 245 3739 to place orders.
“One day I want to employ more people from Tembisa, when this workshop has grown to become a big factory,” he said.
