Xolani wants to grow his modern wood-crafting business

Xolani Masilele from eMbalenhle is one of 12 winners in the Shoprite national Hustle competition.

October 8, 2018

Sifiso Mathebula 2 minutes read

Mr Xolani Masilela's work speaks for itself.

eMBALENHLE – Mr Xolani Masilela, young entrepreneur from eMbalenhle, is one of 12 small business owners who received a cash injection and marketing support valued at over R70 000 as part of Shoprite’s Hustle competition.

The competition calls on small business owners with an annual turnover of less than R1 million and who want to grow their business to enter.

A total of 36 winners (12 per month) will be selected.

Mr Masilela is the founder of Koboko Crafts which was founded in 2016 after he noticed the high unemployment rate among the youth.

Being determined not to become part of the unemployment statistic, he identified his talent and started using it.

Koboko Crafts is a township-based business that specialises in custom-made household furniture produced from raw wooden pallets, new clean wood and other materials.

“Not only has Shoprite given me recognition, they have also ignited a spark and countless energy that will fuel me to stretch my dream and vision further than the possibilities that are hard to reach.

“As cliché as it might sound that luck is not given but created, I entered the competition with high hopes that I will make it through.”

Xolani currently operates from a small backyard workshop and is only able to manufacture on request.

He dreams of having a bigger workshop, storage space for tools and products and a variety of power tools that will enable them to expand their product offering.

Xolani believes that by working hard and by delivering great products, he will inspire the youth.

“I want to show the youth that nothing is impossible if you use your talents and work hard.

“You cannot wait for a job to fall into your lap, making a success of your life is in your hands.

“The nation of South Africa needs more of us to drive out poverty and unemployment, we are the last hope for this financial crisis facing our beautiful country.

“If we could push harder and work hand in hand to cover and master each of the ventures that we are trying to build or pursue and push, we could change the course of our future and for those people who look up to us.

Mr Masilela is aiming at growing his business with a minimum of 20 people working full-time who are willing to grow with his business.