adminBlessed Katiyo in JOHANNESBURG
THE story of Ocean Madzivanzira is a real rags-to-riches tale after jumping so many hoops in life to eke a living in the “City of Gold”.
When he arrived in Johannesburg in 2017, the 36-year-old father of two had nothing but his passport and a bagful of clothes.
He survived on menial jobs to earn a living.
At some point, he worked as a casual employee washing and polishing refuse bins and was paid R5 per bin.
He was once recruited as a lowest-earning casual worker at a construction site (dhaka boy).
“It was not rosy when I first arrived in South Africa. I knew very few people but, like they say, when days are dark friends are few.
“I got a job to clean bins every Wednesday in a suburb called Naturena where Kaizer Chiefs FC is based.
“I would be given R5 for each bin cleaned. I never gave up because of my faith and trust in God,” said Madzivanzira, a devout member of Vadzidzi VaJesu (Yimbo).
Today, he is a proud owner of Ocean Furnitures, a company that manufactures different types of home furniture such as couches, beds, headboards, ottomans among a host of other.
His factory is based in Nancefield, near Soweto, but his business has expanded to Mpumalanga where he has two shops in Trichardt and Bethel.
He has even invested back at home where he recently acquired a residential stand for US$20 000, among others.
“I ended up in the furniture business by grace. In my job hunting, I ended up working for a gentleman who was doing deliveries for a furniture shop as a part-time driver.
“It is at that moment that I learnt the ins-and-outs of the business and I researched until I got all the information.
“I ended up knowing where the material is bought, how to cost the products and who are the best personnel to do it.
“I started with just 10 pieces of couches from the little savings I had. From then on I never gave up until I opened this factory that you see,” said Madzivanzira who employs 12 people, among them local South Africans, Zimbabweans and one from Mozambique.
He has plans to expand and employ even more.
“I know there is a perception that foreigners are criminals. While I appreciate that there is quite a number of us, who are locked up in jails for various offences, not all of us are like that.
“We are here to ensure we also create jobs even for locals. Our goods are wanted, mainly by all South Africans across the country,” added Madzivanzira.
There have been loud calls in recent weeks by some local pressure groups, such as Operation Dudula, who have made it clear that foreigners – especially of African origin – must leave.
Apart from having his own shop, Madzivanzira also supplies well-known chains such as 5 Star Furniture, Homechoice in Mpumalanga, among others.
In a month, his factory churns a minimum of 150 couches as well as countless beds and headboards.
Born in a family of four to Barnabas and Sorosta Rapozo in 1986, Madzivanzira did his primary education at Kajokoto Primary School before moving to Marlborough High for his secondary education.
He is married to Olivia Bandare and the couple were blessed with two baby girls.
In his parting shot, Madzivanzira had a word for aspiring entrepreneurs:
“It pays to humble yourself and learn from others. I have learnt a lot and got advice from people I met along the way.
“Even when you think you have made it, remain grounded and God will lift you up. Let us not be pompous as tomorrow is never guaranteed,” he quipped.
Online Reporter