Chronicle Editor
Langalakhe Mabena
MAKOKOBA Township in Bulawayo is a strategic point for various entrepreneurs who create and sell products that are mainly consumed by clients who are based in rural areas, who often use the Long Distance Bus Terminus also known as eRenkini for travelling purposes to and from their homesteads.
When one approaches 6th Street in Makokoba, the place is characterised by different young and old entrepreneurs who trade in tobacco, with most of them trading in fences, meshes as well as chicken cages among other fence and steel products.
Among those who run fence businesses in the area is Godwill Makonye who was born and bred in Makokoba. He grew up under the wings of his uncle who also hustled around the fence making business — this is where he learnt the skill and craft to weave fences.
When his uncle died, Makonye would then start his own fence manufacturing company and finally become an independent entrepreneur.
Fences that are available and Makonye’s stall are 30 metres long and they range from US$40 to US$70, depending on the height which can be 1,5 metres up to 2 metres.
“I grew up here in Makokoba and I would see my late uncle creating fences and selling them to passersby and those who are going to rural areas who use eRenkini. I fell in love with this craft as I spent most of my time watching my uncle weaving.
“After I acquired the skill, I decided to start up my own company in 2019, soon after my uncle’s death. I then rented this house with my small family and I use the backyard for creating the fences, which is where my material and tools are stored.
“I then display my finished products in front of the gate so that we attract customers, be it random people and those inside taxis from different townships travelling to town. But our main targeted market is the people who are travelling to rural areas.
“There is a need for them to fence their homesteads and this is where we come in by providing them with affordable fences, barbed wires and poles. They also prefer buying from us because there is no transport needed to ferry their fence to the buses.
If a customer buys reasonable metres from us we provide free transport to eRenkini with a push cart (skaniya),” said Makonye.
As a person who grew up in Makokoba, Makonye understands what affects young people in the area, and as such, he has employed two boys namely Doubt Chandigere and Austin Banda, who also feed their families from the proceeds they get from the business.
“Makokoba has a lot going on. Cases of teenage pregnancies are rife and drug abuse cases are also there especially to young boys. Despite my company being a small start-up, I decided to hire two young boys so that they can get something to do, which will encourage them to stay away from drugs.
“These days business is not booming like before the Covid-19 lockdown, people have no money and I believe they are still trying to pick up from the economic effects of the pandemic. If business picks up, I would love to hire more boys because it’s painful to see youths losing direction in life because of unemployment and drugs,” said Makonye.
As he stays with his wife and two children in the house, Makonye said he wishes that the government could help them by providing proper industrial areas or spaces where they can be able to manufacture fences.
“I stay with my wife and two kids here and it’s not safe for them because I use the backyard as a place where I craft these fences — at the very same place where kids should be playing. I wish that the Government can help us as young entrepreneurs by providing us with a proper place where we can store our machinery and practice our work in a safe and clean environment. The Government can also help us with start-ups so that we create more employment for vulnerable youngsters,” he said.
Online Reporter