MY STORY | Soccer didn't work out so I switched to making furniture from old tyres

When third-year agriculture economics student Benathi Makiyela couldn’t pursue his dream of becoming a professional soccer player, he turned to entrepreneurship. The 23-year-old makes furniture and other products out of tyres and runs a cleaning service. 

This is his story.

“I’d always dreamt of being a professional soccer player. As a boy I represented North West in the Danone Nations Cup in 2008.

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In 2017 I took part in a tournament in Kokstad headlined by Sundowns head coach Manqoba Mngqithi. I also represented the Harry Gwala district in another soccer tournament and played in the ABC Motsepe League.

His bestseller includes a set of 4 chairs and table. (PHOTO: Supplied)

But my family couldn’t support my soccer dream as they are poor. I needed to pay for travel, accommodation and soccer kits to competitions, things they simply couldn’t afford. And when my dad died in 2016 it became even harder to play football.

When I realised professional soccer wasn’t an option, I started listening to motivational speeches by entrepreneurs like DJ Sbu and Vusi Thembekwayo. My friend and I then brainstormed ideas of unique businesses we could start.

That’s when we started making playground toys and painting schools around Kokstad in KwaZulu-Natal. I was inspired by how swings were made of tyres and loved the way paint brightened up schools. So I decided to start making objects out of tyres.

In 2018 I moved back to my hometown, KwaBhaca in the Eastern Cape. I had money to buy airtime, but no money to start a business, Still, I knew what I needed to do. I phoned my mentor, Zet Bee Beja, who was the chairman of a soccer side I once played for, and he gave me R500 for the start-up. 

The university student says the business gave him confidence in his business and leadership skills. (PHOTO: Supplied)

I started collecting tyres from motor spares and dumps. Because I want to be a trendsetter and I’m an artist, I upgraded the business by making chairs, tables, feeding troughs, flowerpots and swings. I also offered grass-cutting services.

Makiyela Tyre Recycling and Cleaning Services was born in 2018. Our team consists of five people: a welder who specialises in frames, a person who deals with our finances, a freelance lawyer who offers legal advice, my younger brother, Mphumezi (17), who does the sewing, painting and drills the holes in the tyres, and me. I manage the business, marketing and labour.

Creating our products isn’t a one-person job. It takes 10 to 14 days to finish up four chairs and a table. We believe in teamwork. Someone washes the tyres and paints, then another drills holes and sews. Someone else combines the tyres and adds frames and I assess the product and deliver it to the client.

We approached local businesses and now have clients from various places around the Eastern Cape such as pub owners, guest houses, lounges, taverns, bars, hotels, restaurants, and shisanyamas. 

Benathi started his business in 2018 after he could not pursue soccer. (PHOTO: Supplied)

We also offer cleaning and gardening services such as deep-cleaning, flower-planting and pruning and sportsfield maintenance.

Life is a bit of a juggling act because I’m also studying. I’m a third-year agriculture economics student at Fort Hare. Being off-campus because of Covid-19 has helped me to balance the business and school. I work from 8am to 4pm and in the evening I listen to lecturers’ recordings. 

There are challenges. I’ve had to work hard to get clients to trust me because of my age. Earlier this year the bakkie we use for deliveries was stripped and our tools and products were stolen.

Financially, some months are better than others because I have to put time into my studies but business is good. I sell around seven sets of furniture and eight flower pots a month.

The tyres are sourced from motor spares and dump sites. (PHOTO: Supplied)

This business has given me hope and confidence and boosted my self-esteem. Its success has made me realise that I’m a good businessman and leader, and that the best profit is happiness. 

My family are so supportive. They believe in my ideas and motivate me to implement them. When money has been tight, they’ve supported me financially with the little that they have. 

I would say to other young people who are thinking of starting their own business that you’re never too young to dream big. Don’t judge yourself negatively because of your background. You always have to start somewhere.

I have no regrets and I’ve discovered my true calling. I still love football but the only time I’d go back to soccer is as a coach or analyst."