#MakingIt – Duo entrepreneurs thrive in aluminum

P&A Spazals Aluminum Works is slowly ushering home owners away from wood to the use of absolute aluminium for doors and windows.

The small business operates from a small shipping container by the roadside.

New developments and designs in the property business presented a gap, which afforded an opportunity for Vuyani Ndenze and Andile Ngoma to set up their startup business.

The experienced guy behind aluminium construction in the business, Mr Vuyani Ndenze, hails from the Eastern Cape.

After dropping out of school, he held odd jobs in Cape Town until, through his cousin, he came across an aluminium worker who would teach the skill he makes a living from today.

“When I was in Standard 6, I had to leave school to fend for my sick mother and my siblings. I had no skills at all,” said Mr Ndenze.

He started working as an aluminium cutter and learnt the rest through helping in other departments.

“I never went to school for this but I excel in the trait,” he said.

He said the salary was low and he had responsibilities to take care of.

Mr Ndenze left the company and headed for Johannesburg in search of better opportunities.

When he arrived in Tembisa, he had a stint at an aluminium company in Kempton Park.

The futile endeavour of securing employment got the better of him and he decided to venture into business.

“My family back home expected money.”

He had to make a plan.

His business now manufactures aluminium doors, aluminium sliding doors, aluminium shop fronts and aluminium windows.

Mr Ndenze partnered with Mr Andile Ngoma, who does the marketing for the small business.

“He walks the streets looking for customers. He is good with people, he has people skills,” said Mr Ndenze.

Andile never studied marketing.

“I have business acumen and learnt survival skills on the streets,” said Mr Ngoma.

Andile learnt business skills as a vendor selling oranges at sports grounds and he was only nine years old at the time.

Andile saw potential in the aluminium business and showed an interest.

“This aluminium material can withstand erosion, so with new developments popping up every day and the building of new malls, there is demand for our service. The youth must learn the skill,” said Mr Ngoma.

He said they are planning to teach the skill to four young people each year.

“We want to give them the means of survival and alleviate unemployment,” he said.

“To the unemployed, I want say be patient and Vuka uzenzele (Wake up, do something for yourself),” said Mr Vuyani Ndenze.

For people who want to use P & A Spazals Aluminum’s services, call Andile on 078 421 5139 or 071 714 7413.