Kgothatso Phahlene from Hammanskral is a Tshwane University of Technology graduate in Food Services Management who left his career in 2013 after ten years of services to create job opportunities for unemployed youth in his community.
Kgothatso who is originally from Mamelodi but currently lives in Hammanskraal, Chris Hani, decided to leave his permanent job where he worked as a chef in Pretoria for 13 years to start up his small business.
He produces indoor and outdoor furniture out of damaged pallets and sells them to locals.
“I quit my job as chef to embark in a new path of career. I produce furniture and accessories from damaged wood that I buy from our local industries. My target market by far have been average households and I have received positive feedback from our community.”
He said he sold his bakkie to buy equipment so that he could start teaching himself to produce wooden furniture.
“So far the results are starting to show as some of my products are getting bought by local clubs and pubs. I also managed to hire three individuals to assist in fastening the orders from my clients.” He said.
He encourages young people to allow unemployment in the country to deter them from being self-employable by using their hands and minds.