Volunteering at an old-age home led Mduduzi Matsane to turning his love for pottery into a solid ceramic crockery business.
Matsane volunteered at an old-age home teaching potttery, then a series of chance occurrences led him to acquire to a factory in Hammanskraal.
“I got access to a work space at an old age home, where I set up pottery classes for the elderly. Pottery is therapeutic, especially for those with arthritis because it helps with the movement of hands,” said the 34-year-old Matsane, who also taught school kids pottery and artwork.
Matsane started by off making and selling African calabashes. “We had our own store for selling those items and we also used direct selling via agents.” Matsane now operates a factory that produces ovenware and tableware including casserole dishes, cereal bowls, platters and tea sets.
Canosa Matsane Ceramics continues to grow its production volumes and has attracted investors over the last five years. In the early days, Matsane had five employees, and the team has since grown to 30.
“In 2015 I found out that there was a ceramics factory being liquidated in Babelegi Industrial Park in Hammanskraal. I approached the liquidators and agreed we on payment terms and got the machinery and the facility. We now produce ovenware and tableware which we sell via retailers and wholesalers, as well as direct marketing and selling,” Matsane said.
He credits businessman Khandani Msibi for supporting his dream. “I received advice and mentoring from Mr. Khandani Msibi, the best thing he ever did was him believing in my plans and in me.”
He further credits Msibi for injecting capital into the business, in which Matsane remains a majority shareholder.
“Mr. Msibi put together an investment consortium for the factory, he saw that we were already working and needed to pay overheads, he helped us to raise capital and the consortium became shareholders in business,” said Matsane.
“Our facility is being refurbished by DBSA and the Dti. Once that is done, we will be able to produce 800 units per day. Our main goal is to create other businesses and we are looking into the network marketing model. Most of the women who buy from us already resell to others anyway. We also sell through retail and wholesalers”
His own advice for entrepreneurs? “The best advice I can give any entrepreneur is that a lot of times opportunities come dressed in overalls and looks like a lot of work. So, you’ve got to be prepared to sweat and be in it for the long haul,” said Matsane who ran an artwork and photography business before making ceramic crokery
Matsane says his ceramics business was inspired by his father’s skill for pottery, which supported him and his three siblings. “My father made a living out of pottery and I respect it to this day. It took us to school and put bread on table. It inspired me to start my own business.”
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