When life knocks you down, get back up – Kagiso businessman
From a 9-year-old dreaming of his own business to a successful entrepreneur, Simphiwe Tshabalala is an example of how to make it.
Simphiwe Tshabalala, a Kagiso businessman who has experienced many ups and downs, is living proof that one can get up again after being knocked down.
Simphiwe’s desire to be an entrepreneur kicked in at a young age when he started making money at age 9.
“I did not quite know exactly what I was doing but I enjoyed every single transaction,” he said laughingly.
That is when the bug bit him and he started making money in various ways from washing cars to buying a bag of oranges and selling them for R1 each. This gave him the opportunity to support his mom who is a single mother of three, by helping to provide for some of their necessities.
“The little I could do at that age meant a lot. She is the pillar of my heart and a person who always vouches for me in every venture I took.”
After he matriculated in 2012 he wanted to start making money for his own business and started working. This, he said, taught him patience and how to be strategic. In 2016, he studied Management Services at the University of Johannesburg and continued working while he studied.
He became an Operations Specialist for a packaging group company but still dreamt of opening his own business. He worked his way up in the company and took to heart the lessons that he learned.
Then finally in 2019 he saw a gap in the market and opened up his own logistics company. They move cement, coal, sand, and rubble among others for companies. In 2021, he decided to expand and even bought his own trucks. But then his company was scammed and they lost close to R110 000. A blow that meant he had to let his two employees go and run his business on his own out of his apartment again.
But Simphiwe did not give up.
“It took another year of long hours, blood, sweat, tears, and prayer before I was able to get back up on my feet.”
Today, they have big contracts in place. The setback was not all doom and gloom and while trying to get his business back to its former glory, Simphiwe also decided to open a second business. His love for food made him decide to open a fruit and veg shop.
He started as a street vendor and has since even expanded on this.
“Today, through the hurdles I have gone through and sleepless nights I am proud to announce that the business still stands strong and we will soon be opening offices in Krugersdorp.”
