Student creates site for SMEs
Makitla helps small businesses enter mainstream markets
It’s easy to say that Mbusowentandoyenengi Makitla’s name set his destiny on the right path.
His name means democratic government”, and at just 22, his ecommerce business is already helping small, overlooked businesses across the country.
Makitla’s AddaxyZ helps small enterprises to enter mainstream markets, thus exposing their products.
He says he was in grade 10 in the small town of Dennilton, Limpopo, when the seed of his idea was planted.
“I had a friend who had a small clothes business and it was not doing well because the market was too saturated in that area,” Makitla says.
He says he ended up wearing some of his friend’s items and was approached by people outside their town who asked where they could also get the clothes.
“I realised his brand positioning was not working for where he was but that his products may be appreciated elsewhere.” Makitla, an honours student in big data analytics at Wits University, teamed up with three other students – Kutlwano Sereko, Ntando Magana and Phinda Hlawe – to bring his idea of bringing small businesses to life. Throughout the lockdown period they worked on getting a website to golive before the endof the year. They started their research since 2018.
The young entrepreneur says some of the products on his website include clothing, books by small town authors and artwork.
“We now have 15 brands on our website, with some being from the North West, Limpopo, Mamelodi (in Tshwane) and we are negotiating with some brands in KZN.” Makitla says for future he and his partners would like to expand their service to include products from abroad.
“We want to be a household name in SA and be the first thing that comes to mind. ”