Youngsters turn trash into treasure
They are earning an income from making chairs and tables from old car wheels
With the rate of unemployment escalating annually, Messrs Xolani Ngawane and Siyabonga Sithole have found ways of turning trash into treasure.
They are earning an income from making chairs and tables from old car wheels.
These 22-year-olds collect wheels from filling stations.
They began this project early this year and have not looked back since.
“We realised that the metal garden chairs and tables were being stolen in local parks,” Mr Ngwane said.
He also said thieves sold them at scrap yards, leaving the parks with nothing to sit on.
The duo saw a need to create something that will benefit the community and would not be sold at scrap yards.
“We began making the chairs and tables and people fell in love with them and placed orders,” Mr Ngwane said.
They sell one chair for R350 and a table is R200.
According to them, it takes an hour to make one chair and about 20 minutes for a table.
They taught themselves the techniques of making these furniture and have since become experts.
They also run a car wash and a Shisanyama where they braai and sell meat in Ext 2.
These childhood friends, who both matriculated from Thobelani Secondary School, are determined to make a difference in the community.
They are currently trying to find ways of conserving water that will be beneficial to everyone.
“We would also like to have a community centre in this area that all young creative people can use,” Mr Ngwane also said.
For more information contact Mr Ngwane at 083 5267 188 or Mr Sithole at 078 7674 595.
