Losing a job is something that doesn’t just affect one person – it changes the economic status of the entire family.
When Alfred Hlongwa lost his job in 1996, retrenchment took everything away from him.
He had a family to look after and suddenly the company he was working for was closing down.
“I suddenly became unemployed due to retrenchment. I looked around to see what else I could do,” said Hlongwa.
Unemployment opened an opportunity for him to venture into a business of his own.
“I used to see people walking around selling pillows and I saw potential in that business and I could afford the starting costs.”
He said he had a sewing machine already.
Hlongwa went to Johannesburg to try to find a place to buy suitable materials for his potential pillow business.
When he discovered a supplier, the next problem he was faced with was acquiring sewing skills.
“When my wife was out of the house I would sneakily meddle with her sewing machine,” he said. “I actually taught myself how to do sewing.”
He said it was not that difficult learning the skill because he used to watch his wife sewing and learned a thing or two just by watching.
Then Hlongwa started a business manufacturing decorative pillows and cushions for all purposes, which he called Hlongwa Pillows and Cushions.
“When I started out,” he said, “customers trickled in slowly but today the situation is different because I now receive orders from people in remote areas. Customers use my pillows to beautify their bedrooms; my cushions adorn living room spaces for different families and for me it is business every day.”
The father of six children has been in business for 21 years and is still going strong.
“I wish for my business to grow bigger, to have enough working space and to employ more people”.
He advised young people to learn skills to start their own businesses and fight job scarcity.
At the moment Hlongwa is working at his house at number 4343 Bukeka Street in Phomolong.
If your bedroom or lounge needs a makeover and you consider buying a couple of new pillows and cushions, contact Hlongwa Pillows and Cushions on 072 178 3178.
