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Brick maker Pfunzo Tshilate. Photo supplied.
News - Date: 22 June 2024
Her name, Pfunzo, translates into "education," and she is indeed well educated. She holds a BA degree in language practice and teaching methods, which she completed at the University of Venda. However, instead of working in a fancy, air-conditioned office, she makes mud bricks for a living.
Like many of her peers, Pfunzo had hoped to secure a well-paying job after completing her studies. The tough economic times in the country forced her to improvise. Instead of sitting down and lamenting while waiting for handouts, the 23-year-old from Tshaulu outside Thohoyandou swallowed her pride, put her academic qualifications aside, and ventured full-time into the brick-making sector.
She is now established and has made a big name in the burgeoning mudbrick industry. She is a classic example of a youth who did not allow obstacles to obstruct her from reaching her goal. Today, she runs a thriving business and can take care of herself and her family.
"I graduated in 2022 and started looking for jobs. Days turned into weeks, into months, and years, and I could not find any job," she said. "I sat down, trying to think of what to do to sustain myself and my family. My parents were not working, and there was no money. I could not start a business as I did not have capital. That is when I thought of making bricks as it would only require my labour, soil, water, and wood that I could freely get. To make things easier for me, we had an empty stand that was not being utilised. It all started there."
Pfunzo said she could look back with pride as she had progressed immensely. "Today, I employ 14 people, and we make around 5,000 bricks a day. Business is booming, and I can take care of myself, my family, and my assistants, who were unemployed, and can now provide for their families every month end. My dream is to own a large brick-making company and a hardware store employing many people. To the youth I say, ‘stand up and do something’. There are many opportunities waiting for you. Start from nothing and build something," Pfunzo said.
Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019. He currently writes on a freelance basis, covering human rights issues, court news and entertainment.
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