Chronicle EditorClementine Phulu, Sunday Life Reporter
FROM the basic skills he learnt when he was an employee at Dairibord Zimbabwe Pvt Ltd, Irvine Ndlovu (57) from Mbundane in Bulawayo started his own company, specialising in the manufacture of ice cream push carts, something that has now become not only his main source of income, but his pride and joy.
With the help of his brother, Richard, who is now based in South Africa and in the panel beating industry, Ndlovu in 2019 founded the company, naming it I and R Panel Beaters. Although he said there was still a lot more to achieve, Ndlovu said that he was living his dream, as he has always wanted to own his own company.
“From 2012 to 2018 I was repairing ice-cream push carts, especially towards Zimbabwe International Trade Fair days. In 2019 I started manufacturing my own carts. I get material locally since I’m using fibre, which is available in Zimbabwe and I honestly got the inspiration from the Dairy Marketing Board and I still believe that one day my company is going to grow big like other panel beating companies in Zimbabwe. I still believe that one day I’m going to have my own space with my company name on it because as for now I’m renting a workshop at old CSC Complex in Belmont,” he said.
Through manufacturing of these ice-cream carts, Ndlovu bought a stand and built a house in Mbundane.
“I haven’t archived a lot of things so far but from these carts that I am making I bought myself a stand at Mbundane and the house which is now called KoNdlovu I built it using the money from these ice cream push carts. I have five children and I’m paying their fees every term using the money I get from these ice cream push carts since I’m the breadwinner.”
As someone who is considerate of the needs of others, Ndlovu said he is willing to change lives of other entrepreneurs and if funds would permit, he plans on creating a training centre for youths, where they would be taught to work on their creativity.
“If funds permit, I am planning to start a youth training centre since I’m a qualified class one vehicle spray painter from Bulawayo Polytechnic College who qualified on 4 August 2001. It is my wish and I hope one day I’m going to be teaching young people how to design different products using fibre, a material which is cheap and always available locally,” said Ndlovu.
As if to prove that manufacturing talent runs in the Ndlovu bloodline, his two sons are also interested in creativity magic from fibre.
“My two boys are interested in manufacturing things and I’m currently teaching my third born child skills for manufacturing, as I believe that one day my children are the ones who are going to inherit my business,” he said.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter