Bikes garages a lucrative idea

Nhlalwenhle Ngwenya
When life gives a person lemons, for survivala��s sake there is no option but to make lemonade.

That is the picture this reporter got after interacting with one Simon Kuchekenya a�� a 36-year-old father of one a�� from Sauerstown suburb.

Kuchekenya whose last payslip from a formal job was in 2003 when he was an oven operator at a bakery, is now a reputable self-employed bicycle mechanic in Bulawayo.

a�?When I lost my job at a local bakery there was no option but to look for an alternative source of income,a�? he says with a proud smile.

In the past 13 years, his enterprise has grown to two shops in Bulawayoa��s Sauerstown and Northend respectively as business has been good.

a�?Since 2003 I have never looked back. I built a homestead in Chivhu and bought a Toyota Hilux,a�? he said.

So much for a person who lost his job to become a provider for other families through the people that work for him.

a�?I have four workers. That translates to four family breadwinners. Now thata��s employment creation,a�? he said.

A growing economy and peoplea��s desire to save equals more business for him.

He has since found a market for second hand bicycles.

a�?People frequent our shops because we offer a range of services. For example we sell spare parts, buy old bikes and resell them after reconditioning them,a�? he said.

Kuchekenya is a people businessman. Instead of referring to the business in the first person a�?mya�? he gives his employees accountability by referring to the enterprise as a�?oura�?.

When a business idea is brilliant, others are likely to follow it up.

As such, there is another bicycle dealer who has risen to prominence.

He is a shy guy who preferred to be called Mr Ncube a�� a father of two a�� probably he wouldna��t want his childrena��s friends knowing his first name after reading his success story in the peoplea��s paper.

He operates on the other side of town, along the Luveve Road opposite Happy Valley Beer Garden.

When he started the trade sometime in 2010, he did not face the hyper-inflation atmosphere that Kuchekenya struggled through.

Hence, in one go he does not think twice to say business has always been good.

a�?I started this business in 2010 when I noticed that there were a lot of people cycling to and from work along this route,a�? he said.

He starts seeing dollar signs when people return from work.

a�?Most of the cyclists have problems when coming back home and end up pushing their bicycles. That is where I come in,a�? he boldly declared.

His charges are not steep but volumes are key.

a�?I charge 50 cents for a puncture and $1 for replacing spokes and nipples,a�? he said.

Kuchekenya is a heavyweight, he fixes no less than 100 bicycles a month and he charges between $30 and $60 because unlike Ncube he has an established business.

It would have been interesting to know how many bicycles are registered officially with the Bulawayo City Council, however, by time of going to Press, there was no response from the local authority.