By: Zethu Gweva
Being unemployed and owning a small business seems to be the in-thing as an unemployed graduate from Mdantsane Thembelihle Mpapa, 29, makes floor rugs out of animal skin.
The alumni from the University of Fort Hare studied Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Agriculture (Animal Production Science) Degree where the passion for making mats out of animal skin began.
Mpapa said he has been making mats since July 2017 and the business was inspired by his final year project, which was about the reproduction performance of the Nguni Cows because of its beautiful skin.
“When I learned that people decorate with its skin because it’s durable. I saw that car leather seats are made out of this cow’s skin,” he said.
Although his research on how to make leather was discouraging, as a lot of money was needed for the material, Mpapa decided to look for other ways to make something out of animal skin and that is when he discovered that mats can be made from cowskin and goatskin.
“After I discovered that I can actually make these mats and learned how to make them from the internet. I went and bought my tools and material to begin working while I was in school,” said Mpapa.
In addition, he said after losing his scholarship in 2018, the money he earned from making floor rugs assisted him with his tuition and put food on the table.
Expressing the challenges he has encountered while trying to grow his business, he mentioned that he does not have space to work as he works from home in his bedroom and stores his materials in the garage and that when he wants them to dry out he places them on top of the roof, where the rats eat them.
“The business did not grow because every cent I earned was used to feed myself and pay for my school tuition. Moreover, it is still not doing well as the only time I get money is when a person brings his or her own animal skin and I make a floor rug out of it then deliver and get payment” he said.
When asked about the rates for his services, Mpapa told us about the price of his organic rugs, made from these following materials:
- Sheepskin – R150 to R1200
- Springbok Skin – R250 to R650
- Impala – R450 to R750
- Blesbuck – R400 to R850
- Kudu – R750 to R1400
Tanning prices for Sheep and Goat skins sell for R450, Cow and Kudu skin are R1000, Impala and Blesbuck are R550, lastly, Springboks and Small Deer Hides sell for R400, respectively.
Talking about the plans he has for his business in the future, he said he wants to get into the export and import industry then later employ people.
“I won’t be able to do everything by myself so employing unemployed graduates and people with crafting skills would help the business to grow and also help curb unemployment,” he said.
For more information contact Thembelihle Mpapa on 0824763217 or Whatsapp
0789469263.