Tshilate Pfunzo builds a solid foundation for her future
21-year-old Tshilate Pfunzo started her brick laying business after the income her family had was not enough to sustain their basic needs.
LIMPOPO – Aspiring not to allow circumstances and a high rate of unemployment to discourage her, a young woman from Tshisaulu village decided to start her own brick laying business.
“I told myself, for as long as I have hands that can function well, I will never go to bed hungry,” said Tshilate Pfunzo.
The 21-year-old Pfunzo started her business in 2018 after the income her family had was not enough to sustain their basic needs.
“I was lucky because we live on a farm and there was a huge open space that was not being used, so instead of me having to go out and look for a place to rent, I was able to do my work in the comfort of my parents’ farm. And the best part about it is that it is next to a river so I do not struggle with collecting water and sand since everything is there,” she explained.
After months, she was also in the position to appoint more people.
“Not only does my business put food on our table, but it creates jobs for others so that they too can support their families. My business has been showing a lot of progress from the day I started, although sometimes I come across challenges but that never stops me from working hard.”
The lack of a truck to deliver bricks is but one of the challenges she faces. “This makes it hard sometimes for me to deliver bricks to my customers who stay far.”
Being a young entrepreneur, Pfunzo encourages the youth to create their own opportunities and to never give up on their dreams.
“Never look down on your hustle. When I started, I never thought that my business would grow so fast into the business it is today. You too can make a difference not only in one person’s life, but in that of an entire family,” she said.
He biggest dream is to expand her business and to appoint more people. “I believe that it will decrease the number of unemployed people in my village.”
The young entrepreneur sells her bricks at R1 each, and if you buy more than 1 000 bricks, you get 10% discount. To support her, contact her on 082 687 4984.
