12 Jun 2015

At 63 years old, the owner of the Makgonatsothe Furniture, Ms Modi Ncube is self-reliant, independent and manages to make ends meet regardless of her age and academic background.

Life, having thrown a lot of challenges her way, drove Ms Ncube to look at her entrepreneurial skills by walking around the streets of Area W selling fruits and vegetables.

Her ambition led her to embark on a welding business that is able to sustain her family. In an interview recently, she highlighted that she received funding from Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA).

However, she noted that the funding she received was not sufficient to procure enough materials she needed. So, she continued selling fruits and vegetables on the side to fund her welding business.

The business craze of welding is common amongst the Zezuru community and it is not common to find females in the thick of things. However she defied all odds and cultural stereotypes that only men are capable of welding.

Despite the fact that she did not receive any formal training on welding, Ms Ncube chose not to limit her capabilities and decided to learn on the job through trial and error. Currently the items she makes are marketed by being displayed on the outskirts of Area W opposite Setlalekgosi Junior Secondary School.

She makes items out of steel such as kettles, bath tubs, metal buckets and her prices range from P30 to P250 depending on the size and the type product requested. Besides, fruits and vegetables, she also sells pillows that she makes herself.

Due to old age, she explained that she is no longer capable of doing everything herself. As a result she has not only created employment for herself, but also for other people who are experienced and have thorough understanding of the welding industry.

As per the Zezuru culture, she mentioned that it was uncommon for a female child to go to school, however, they are home schooled and taught to be self-reliant at a tender age.

Fortunately, nowadays girls from the Zezuru community go to school as education is considered the key to success.On other issues, she asserted that self-reliance, hard work and determination are essential qualities required to attain both short term and long term goals.

She also emphasised that persistence and patience also help a person thrive in the competitive business world and like in any other business, welders have their own fair share of challenges.“The problem is that there is lack of funds to diversify and tap into other streams of income,” she said. Ends