eMbalenhle man ekes out a living with creative toys

Unemployment has taught Thando Mahlangu (45) from eMbalenhle creative ways to survive. This resident of Ext 12 is now using scrap metal to create toys.

He makes various types of toy vehicles, such as tankers and side tipper trucks to sell. Mahlangu said he used to wake up in the morning and then go from office to office looking for work, but he always returned home empty-handed.

He lives close to the R546 road and he usually watched trucks going up and down the road. That was when he decided to employ his keen eye and skilful hands to make and sell these toys.

“Everyone knows it is difficult to find employment and nowadays life needs creative people who can create opportunities.”

Mahlangu visits scrap metal businesses and buys broken geysers for the cover sheet metal.

“I hope to one day build a toy factory in our area that will employ many unemployed people. I see that there is an opportunity for the unemployed to learn hand work.

“If I can get support from local pre-schools and child centres to buy my toys, I will be able to employ more people and train them for free.

“Our area and country need creative people to build our economy, and not people with dependency syndrome,” said Mahlangu.

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Mahlangu said he noticed that even the older people like his toys because he saw a grown-up playing with them after buying them for his children.

He said these are not just toys. Mahlangu believes these miniature vehicles are also educational because there are trucks with trailers, that teach you how to drive and control a truck.

Mahlangu invites people interested in buying his toys, to contact him on 064 674 6711.

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