Clean water meets entrepreneurial vision for Dumisani Shange

Zululand entrepreneur turns water purification into growing business, highlighting rural enterprise opportunities at upcoming summit.

1 hour ago

Mbuso Kunene 2 minutes read

FOR Dumisani Shange, clean water is more than an essential need; it’s an entrepreneurial opportunity that has enabled him to build a business around purification and consumer confidence.

Shange is looking forward to sharing his entrepreneurial journey with fellow business owners at the first annual Rural Industrialisation Summit, set to be held at Port Durnford community hall from 6 to 8 October.

The three-day exhibition and information-sharing programme will bring together small entrepreneurs, business leaders, government stakeholders, development organisations and private sector partners to explore opportunities for rural businesses.

Shange believes access to locally purified water can create opportunities for entrepreneurs while addressing an essential need.

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Through his business Madumstero, Shange supplies purified water and ice, but what distinguishes his approach is his emphasis on the purification process, water testing and quality assurance.

“Before the purification system was installed, a sample of the water was sent to a laboratory for two different analyses. The results were taken to the filters, who used the findings to inform the purification system that was procured and installed,” said Shange.

He said his purified spring water does not involve the use of chemicals, with the business placing an emphasis on natural products.

Building value around a local resource

Shange’s story illustrates how entrepreneurs can identify opportunities in resources already available within their communities and create businesses by adding value.

Rather than simply supplying untreated borehole water, he invested in purification infrastructure and testing as part of developing a finished product for the market.

The business focuses on two complementary products – purified water and ice – allowing Shange to serve a range of customers seeking everyday essentials.

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For Shange, the journey is also about establishing a sustainable small enterprise in a sector where trust, consistency and product quality are particularly important.

Through the Rural Industrialisation Summit, Shange hopes to exchange ideas, build connections and explore opportunities that can contribute to the continued growth of his business.

For more information about the summit, contact Nana Zulu on 083 6177664.

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