An ex-convict has come up with a colourful way of making money – by dyeing old shoes and clothes and giving them new life.
Thongolwethu Maqungu, 30, from Corhana Village near Mthatha, has also created jobs for five unemployed youths.
He said he started the venture four months ago after he came across it in Durban.
Determined to make a success of it, Maqungu attended a one-week training course at a dye manufacturing factory to learn more about dye and colour blocking.
The group can now restore colour to worn out shoes, takkies, jeans, clothes and even leather jackets. The items can either be fabric or leather and all colours are available.
They operate from stalls on the pavements of Madeira Street, Mthatha and near the corner of Oxford and Union streets in East London.
Maqungu said they make roughly R10000 a month. The business was saving money and helping people to hold on to their favourites items, he said.
Maqungu, a born-again Christian, said he used to sell drugs and was sentenced to three years after being convicted for fraud in 2003.
“That is my past. I want to inspire people and I want them to know that staying in jail is not the end of life,” said Maqungu.
He is also studying tourism and hospitality at Thekwini College. He is driven by his love of fashion.
“My main aim is to open up a drycleaning shop where you can stone wash or dye clothes. From there I want to open up a clothing shop.
“This will be followed by opening up an events management company,” he said.
He said his main “drawback” was funds to buy equipment such as printers, rent and a dyeing machine similar to a washing machine so he can be able to dye blankets as well.
Shoes cost R80 all colours, knee-high boots cost R100. They dye jeans, shirts,
T-shirts, fabric and leather jackets. Prices start at R100.
OR Tambo District Chamber of Business chairman Vuyisile Ntlabathi said the chamber would support the enterprise through training and funding opportunities.
“They deserve applause because young people must think outside the box. We support them 100%” he said. — loyisom@dispatch.co.za
Dye has been truly cast
Thongolwethu Maqungu, 30, from Corhana Village near Mthatha, has also created jobs for five unemployed youths.
He said he started the venture four months ago after he came across it in Durban.
Determined to make a success of it, Maqungu attended a one-week training course at a dye manufacturing factory to learn more about dye and colour blocking.
The group can now restore colour to worn out shoes, takkies, jeans, clothes and even leather jackets. The items can either be fabric or leather and all colours are available.
They operate from stalls on the pavements of Madeira Street, Mthatha and near the corner of Oxford and Union streets in East London.
Maqungu said they make roughly R10000 a month. The business was saving money and helping people to hold on to their favourites items, he said.
Maqungu, a born-again Christian, said he used to sell drugs and was sentenced to three years after being convicted for fraud in 2003.
“That is my past. I want to inspire people and I want them to know that staying in jail is not the end of life,” said Maqungu.
He is also studying tourism and hospitality at Thekwini College. He is driven by his love of fashion.
“My main aim is to open up a drycleaning shop where you can stone wash or dye clothes. From there I want to open up a clothing shop.
“This will be followed by opening up an events management company,” he said.
He said his main “drawback” was funds to buy equipment such as printers, rent and a dyeing machine similar to a washing machine so he can be able to dye blankets as well.
Shoes cost R80 all colours, knee-high boots cost R100. They dye jeans, shirts,
T-shirts, fabric and leather jackets. Prices start at R100.
OR Tambo District Chamber of Business chairman Vuyisile Ntlabathi said the chamber would support the enterprise through training and funding opportunities.
“They deserve applause because young people must think outside the box. We support them 100%” he said. — loyisom@dispatch.co.za
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