Lim entrepreneur hopes to create more jobs in SA
The solution to South Africa's skyrocketing unemployment may be closer to home than we think, reckons one entrepreneur.
LIMPOPO – Grassroots manufacturing can play a pivotal role in solving South Africa’s economic and unemployment woes.
That’s the firm opinion of 29-year-old Limpopo entrepreneur, Aubrey Koma who says the idea of providing work and helping to transform his community drove him to found Aubtec Kitchens, which specialises in furniture manufacturing, installation and high-quality custom woodwork.
“Manufacturing is one of the fastest growing sectors and contributes positively to the South African economy, hence we aim to contribute to and assist in the growth of our economy,” explains Koma, who founded Aubtec Kitchens in 2016 in the small university town of Mankweng, around 30km east of Polokwane.
Koma’s fervent belief in manufacturing being a key growth point for South Africa is not misguided. The African Union has made manufacturing the core of its Agenda 2063, its strategic plan to transform the continent in the coming years.
That’s perhaps because manufacturing has the highest job multiplier of any sector; for every R1m invested approximately three jobs are created, according to The World Bank.
“Africa is one of the most exciting and potentially dynamic markets [for manufacturing] in the world, increasingly capturing the attention of the world’s largest businesses,” writes Craig Arnold, president of the Dow Chemical Company, for the World Economic Forum on Africa.
Strong economic growth, untapped natural resources, ready access to mobile technology and a young, entrepreneurial population are all factors that will help African markets “leapfrog” over the fourth industrial revolution, Arnold adds.
While Koma’s business thinking may be sound, starting up Aubtec Kitchens was no easy feat.
He initially studied to be an electrical engineer in Pretoria, until his mother’s death in 2009 forced him to drop out of college and take a job at his uncle’s carpentry business to make ends meet.
It was there where he developed a love of woodwork – and a passion to provide jobs through manufacturing. “After working at several carpentry companies, I decided to do my own thing,” says Koma. “I was able to save up some funds and, with the help of the National Youth Development Agency Polokwane, we opened our doors in 2016.”
Koma says he’s proud that his small business is able to “feed five different families” after only three years. He has been able to offer much needed services to his small community: “Our clients do not have to travel to Polokwane to get their boards cut into sizes. They appreciate our products, since we are the only company offering trending products and these kinds of services in the region.”After completing a two-year business support programme funded by the SAB Foundation Tholoana Programme, the young entrepreneur now has a strategic plan to expand operations by opening more branches within Limpopo and entering the Gauteng market.
Aside from providing more employment opportunities, Koma’s plans to open a skills training centre in Mankweng: “I have always wanted to transfer this skill to my fellow youth black South Africans. Having well-skilled youth will better their future and that of our country.”
