01 Jul 2020

Welding and fabrication does not strike many as an interesting job for young people.

However, Mr Edwin Marope (31) is one of the few who use this skill to fend for family.

Mr Marope, who hails from Bobonong, operates from his backyard in  Selebi Phikwe.

His products range from decorating sculptures, stoves, braai stands, tuck-shops, livestock water troughs to mobile kitchens.

He stated in an interview that he did the work out of of his love for art.

“I went to Kang Brigade in 2012 where I studied welding and fabrication because of my love for art and crafting,” said Mr Marope.

He said he improved his craft through extensive research.

One of his innovations was a versatile firewood stove that could be used as a braai stand and firewood heater.

“I think it is important to conduct a research before embarking on any project, this way I always make unique, problem solving products that always make my clients happy,” said Mr Marope.

He said in 2016, he decided to venture into business by selling some of his works on request, that was he realised that he could make ends meet from his craft.

Mr Marope explained that he utilised social media to advertise, but mostly relied on word of mouth from his clients.

He also pointed out that he never benefited from any form of funding, something that made his life more difficult in buying and servicing his power tools, adding that power tools and materials came a hefty price.

In order to mitigate some of the challenges, he explained that he used recycled material and sometimes clients bought their own materials.

He also said he not have a place of business, hence operating from home where there was no power.

Mr Marope said his business had already gained momentum before the April lockdown, adding that he had offers to construct vehicle shades for some clients, but things came to a halt thus causing his business to plunge swiftly.

He said although he was currently facing a financial ordeal, he was still optimistic in the interventions by CEDA through an informal sector stimulation programme also known as Letlhabile that attempted to sustain small businesses that were hard hit by lockdown.

He said he wanted to grow his business and employ members of his community. ENDS