Raising the roof in Nkobongo

Starting a business has never been easy and to run it requires passion, love and commitment at all times.

Well-known Nkobongo resident Phiwankosi Nene has been running Sthenjwa Tent Hiring since 2005.

Nene said he used to stay at KwaMashu Men’s Hostel and every time he saw a tent being erected, he would offer to help.

“At that time I was unemployed, so instead of just sitting at home, I offered to help tent hiring companies without pay. That was how I learnt to put up a tent and I got to know more about the business,” said Nene.

In 2005 he decided to take the leap and start his own business because , “I just was not able to find work”.

He went home to Eshowe and sold one of his cows to raise the money to buy his first two-pole tent and chairs.

“It was difficult because I had to use a wheelbarrow to deliver my tent and chairs. Life was very difficult at that time.”

That small tent would at times sit for more than three months without being hired but he refused to give up. Today he owns 16 tents, four mobile fridges and six mobile toilets.

“What helped me to keep going was that I did not think as a businessman but as a community servant.

“When my tent was not hired I did not take it as a loss but I took it as a challenge to think of something that would make people need my service.

“I bought two 100 litre pots and added them into the package.”

His clients generally did not have much money to spare so he said chose not to charge per hour, but per event.

Nene said making his business sustainable was his aim and not taking home a profit.

“If making a profit was my only focus I would have soon given up. I only made a profit after I bought my fifth tent, which took me years to do.”

He now has six full-time employees, but depending on demand he also employs short-term workers.

The father of five children said he will never undermine the importance of keeping livestock, because “cows and goats help you get through tough times”.

“I now have eight cows and 22 goats and I still want to buy more cows.

“In term of my business, I want to grow in order to be able to supply tents for government events,” said Nene.

>>> Meet the top players in the North Coast property industry. See our Property People feature.

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