#MakingIt – A purrfect business venture

Thulane “Mshengu” Tshabalala makes a living out of manufacturing cat scratch posts.

This is a rare business for a man staying in the township.

Mr Tshabalala said people marvel at what he does.

When the posts are displayed, he said people come and inquire what the items are, but seldom do these people purchase the posts.

“A lot of people don’t know about the posts,” said Mr Tshabalala.

A scratching post is a wooden post covered in rough material. This provides cats with an acceptable place to scratch.

Mr Tshabalala used to work as a quality controller for a company that manufactured pet products and that is where he learnt this trait.

He worked for the company for a period of 10 years before the owner relocated to KwaZulu-Natal and the company had to close down.

“Prior to the closure of the company, customers were informed six months before. Customers, out of frustration, requested that I continue manufacturing the scratch posts on my own and continue supplying them,” said Mr Tshabalala.

He said these people were very supportive when he started his own business.

Currently, Mr Tshabalala supplies pet shops with the cat scratch posts and cat play stands.

All his customers are outside the township.

“My business has been in existence for 12 years already and I am not looking for a job,” said Mr Tshabalala.

His vision for his business is to expand his business’ distribution footprint.

“I want to also supply remote places outside Gauteng,” he said.

Asked whether his choice of business is a viable one, he said the business is sustainable.

“For all these years I have been able to put food on the table for my wife and my two children,” said the entrepreneur.

He said as an employee he wasn’t making much money.

“As a person you are more likely to make more money as an entrepreneur. I would therefore advise unemployed people to start their own businesses,” said Mr Tshabalala.

He said if they lack knowledge in business administration there are people out there who are willing to assist.

“We are now a generation of technology which means you can search for answers online,” he said.

He plans to grow the business to employ more people.

Thulani Active Cats is a small township business that has outdone major industry players.

“Once you buy our products, you will appreciate the quality because quality is our first priority.”

“We never disappoint and our customers come back for more; they are happy,” said Mr Tshabalala.

Interested individuals and pet shops who want to buy cat furniture can contact Mr Tshabalala on 072 872 4609.

If you order, Thulani Active Cats will deliver.