29 May 2025

Can a three-month vocational training course launch a successful career? The answer, according to Mr Gothusang Chidu, a renowned wooden chair designer from Nlaphwane, is a resounding yes.

Mr Chidu’s success story born from training at Shashe Brigade, a vocational training institution near Tonota, challenges the misconception that vocational training is for academic failures. Government has for a long time encouraged young people to embrace vocational schools because of their potential career advancement and economic independence, a message he embodies.

Mr Chidu, the director of Goshwa Wood Works, has made a name for himself crafting exquisitely polished and finely detailed wooden chairs that have caught the eye of many visitors. His work stoodout at this year’s Northern Trade Fair, earning universal praise and solidifying his reputation as a master craftsman. His company specialises in woodwork carpentry, partitioning, and supplies. Though currently operating from his home, Mr Chidu is poised for growth as he awaits to be allocated a business plot by the Tati Land Board to expand his trade.

“I want to build an empire that everyone would admire,” said the 41-year-old father of one.

He talked endlessly about the tangible benefits of vocational training, stating: “It has quick returns and can put food on the table. The main issue is management, and I want to manage my business so that in the near future I will be able to sustain myself and my family.”

His journey began in 2019 when he registered with the North East District Department of Social and Community Development and was promptly offered a three-month course at Shashe Brigade, specialising in carpentry and bricklaying. This relatively short training proved transformative.

“Three months is a short time, but when you have passion and zeal, you can make it. It does not take three to four years like white-collar job training, and that is why I prefer vocational training,” he explained.

Mr Chidu’s success directly refutes the notion that carpentry is a fallback option.

“Most people think carpentry is for those who failed at school, but it is the best and well-recognised type of work globally,” he asserted.

He highlighted the reliance of many developed nations on vocational training, urging the youth to embrace this path towards economic development. His ambition extends beyond his own success; he envisions establishing a training institution to empower the next generation of skilled artisans.

Beyond his chair designs, Mr Chidu undertakes piecework, including building and installing ceilings for clients. His story is a testament to the potential of vocational training and a compelling counter-narrative to the misconception that it is a second-best option. It is a story of passion, dedication, and the results achieved through skilled craftsmanship honed at Shashe Brigade. ENDS