Talented men make decorations and furniture from recycled material

Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Friday September 22, 2017 15:33

 

The duo makes beautiful outdoor furniture, paintings and drawings with different materials which some regard as dirt. Their furniture and unique wall paintings, decorations and drawings cannot be missed as they have attracted a lot of attention from their newly acclaimed customers. They make chairs and tables with old tyres and pallets.

In an interview with Arts and Culture, Macala who studied Art during his primary and junior schools, said he did a course in Building Construction at Jwaneng Tech after completing his senior school.

“On completion of a two-year full time construction course, I pursued a project management course in a company called Xpert Academy and on completion I secured a managerial position in a construction company called Caitec Botswana. Working as a site manager in this company highlighted to me, the need to curb waste, as on a daily basis there was too much waste generated but measures that are meant to curb this situation were not satisfactorily practiced. Also, I figured companies didn’t remove waste in most of their work stations because waste management was being costly for them as mostly dumping sites are outside Gaborone,” he pointed out.

Macala explained that he further went to study Architectural Technology and where upon completion, he figured out he had gathered enough relevant knowledge he could use to address issues that have always been worrying him. He said he then identified his talent, skills and capability. He added that he saw it best to start business using his acquired knowledge together with incorporation of his talents.

After having studied a sector that deals with infrastructure, he said it became very favourable for him to start a business that relates to what he studied and what he knew was his passion. He pointed out that together with Lesole, who studied electrical and electronics engineering. He said Lesole also came up with the idea of incorporating some wooden products fitted with electrical appliances and lights hence became business partners.

“We do a number of services ranging from artifacts made out of pallets or wooden boards, patios made of gum poles and or pallets, pallet or tyre seats, tables, wall arts, flower pots and fascinating lights as well.

Also, we do landscaping designs incorporated of tyre ponds, stones and pallets as well, shoe racks, chest of drawers, photo booths and a variety of both and outdoor furniture that is appealing but yet affordable to the less paid customers,” he said.

However, just like any other business entities, these young men also experience difficulties in their business.

Macala pointed out that even though the majority of people show interest in their intended business, the company was self financed hence a bit difficult to make a mark in an already developed city.

He also explained that at first it was difficult to convince people that viable, astonishing but usable products could be made out of reused materials. He said they however managed to prove them wrong with their masterpieces.

“One difficulty or weakness we are currently faced with is lack of a proper operation site as the company wishes to find a place of operation within Gaborone since the capital city is the company’s target market. A couple of ministry offices had shown support with letters of intent as potential customers and some offering opportunities of further education for us.”

“We have also confronted the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development, where they promised to sponsor us as soon as the company gets an operational place. It is hard to get an operational place without money,” he ended.