Good run for ‘Mcondo’

Siyabonga Nkosi interviews a man trying to make a living plugging the service gaps in his community

‘I’M A good guy with the ability to satisfy others’ needs, but not my own,” 30-year-old Hammarsdale businessman Rhian Mazibuko says with a smile.

This energetic individual has proved an asset to a string of companies that value hard work, determination and dedication.

Now, like other entrepreneurs, Mazibuko firmly believes in slogging away at what you believe in to make your own success.

“Being self-employed is better than working for a company. I used to wake up around 3am to start work at 6am regardless of the season,” he said.

Known to many as “Mcondo” because of his tall, slim appearance, he runs, among other businesses, a fast food outlet.

“Some call it Paparazzi, but I hate the name. I call it Kasi 2 Kasi. You get fried chips, quarter legs, wings, you name it.”

As he strives to add to his range of self-employment opportunities, he is well-aware that his hard work means putting his customers before his own needs. He also takes pride in carpentry and what he calls “movie day” – going to schools and offering good new movies.

Mazibuko said self-employment enabled the average labourer to set his own pay and work hours.

“My ambition is to make people see the need for action every day. People shouldn’t sit around and do nothing. They should be busy. When people are busy, they make money,” he said.

One needs to bridge the gap between the community and the services it needs, he said; so he was always looking for ways to help the community that would provide an income for him.

Mazibuko’s circumstances have changed over the years. Originally from Ntshongweni, he grew up in the post-apartheid era with his family constantly on the move.

He did not enjoy the experience, but appreciated the need to broaden his knowledge.

“It was hard finding out at a young age that our oppressors took our cattle,” he said.

From Ntshongweni he went to Georgedale, then Clermont and finally Hammarsdale.

He moved from one school to the next. At Uxolophambili High, there was much controversy over school fee payments.

“I loved that school, but my father was upset by their negligent bookkeeping. I nearly did not get promoted to the next year as they held back my results, assuming I had not paid.

“After that was sorted out I went to Ukusa High, where I completed my schooling,” he said.

He matriculated in 2006 and in 2008 went to UKZN to study for a BA Administration but could not afford to finish.

As a result, he went to work for Rainbow Chicken. Looking for more excitement in his occupation, he went to work for solar power, a company in New Germany. He said it was a good job but he soon found himself among those retrenched.

“We were paid out a percentage of earnings. Jobless, I considered whether to try climb the ladder to success or just lie down on the ground and hope nothing runs over me. So I decided to start my own business,” he said.

This father of two added that in life “crying doesn’t help” because everyone hears only their own noise.

“Moving on, my future looks bright as long as I keep my goals realistic and aim at sustainable progress,” said Mazibuko.

• Nkosi is a third-year journalism student at DUT.