|
Click on a need
|
|
|
Matebello Motloung
Financial Mail
Friday, January 08, 2010
|
|
|
|
Luvuyo and Lonwabo Rani’s advice to budding entrepreneurs is to act where they see a need. “When you see a need, focus on it, and the money will follow,” says Luvuyo, the older of the two brothers. The pair should know. Owners of Silulo Ulutho, a Khayelitsha-based computer training, sales and repair company, they started the business in 2004 in response to low computer literacy levels in their area. Since then Silulo Ulutho (“bringing value” in Xhosa), has grown to include seven Internet and business centres across the township. It expects to open four more next year. Initially, the brothers, who see themselves as businessmen as well as social entrepreneurs, started off by focusing on schools. A former high school teacher, Luvuyo says it was low computer literacy among teachers that first inspired him to start the business. In 2005, after new shareholder Sigqibo Phangabantu joined, the company added repair and maintenance services. Today, Silulo Ulutho employs 28 permanent staff. Its training division, which offers six-month courses, has an average student intake of 360/term. It is expanding to two other venues, which will bring the number of its training centres to four. The Ranis attribute their success to understanding their market and what it needs. “When you do business in the second economy, you have to do it the way people understand it. It’s about educating people and customers so they can be part of what you want to achieve.”
|
|
|
 Print this article |
 Send to a friend
|
|