In Barkly East, lies a picturesque township nestled in the mountains of the Joe Gqabi District Municipality, a home to one entrepreneur who has defied the odds to build a budding business that not only supports his family but also contributes to the local economy.
Ayanda Tsembeyi is the proud owner of Tsembeyi Trading, a general car repair shop that specialises in engine rebuilding and reconditioning, as well as panel beating services.
His journey as an entrepreneur has not been easy, but his determination and resilience are the beacon of hope for the community that he serves. In 2018, after observing crippling effects of poverty in his community and watching families struggle to make ends meet, Ayanda decided to leave formal employment on a quest to embark on an entrepreneurial journey.
His vision was clear: to create employment opportunities for his community and provide for a few households. With limited resources and a small team, Ayada is working tirelessly to build a reputation for quality and reliability. Today, his business is a testament to his hard work and dedication. Despite his unwavering dedication, Ayanda's entrepreneurial journey is fraught with challenges that threaten to impede the growth of his business.
The rugged terrain of Barkly East, with its steep slopes and informal settlements, poses significant logistical hurdles. Rainy days often render the roads impassable, forcing Ayanda to fetch his customers from town and tow their vehicles to his workshop.
Most pressing and impacting on his work is the lack of access to reliable electricity.
Ayanda is forced to rely on electricity extensions, sourcing power from his neighbour’s property to perform even the most tasks. This precarious arrangement not only hampers his productivity but also poses a significant risk to his safety and the safety of his customers. However, he tries to work safely.
‘’Because I love what I do so much and serving my community, there is nothing that can stop me from working. For safety however, we do not work when it is raining, we pack away all the electric extensions to a place where the rain will not reach. Then there are times we do not have electricity at all, so we struggle to weld the cars’’, said Ayanda.
Despite the numerous challenges, Ayanda's passion and dedication to his business remain unwavering. A significant source of motivation for him are the daily visits from curious school kids. Every afternoon, they flock to his workshop, eager to learn and absorb knowledge like sponges. Ayanda is delighted to oblige, sharing his expertise and skills with the enthusiastic youngsters.
As he watches them grow and learn, his vision expands beyond his immediate circumstances. He hopes that one day, these children will become the leaders and entrepreneurs who will carry on his legacy and drive positive change in their community. This sense of purpose fuels Ayanda's determination to persevere, even in the face of adversity.
‘’I would be so happy if the AIDC-EC could help my business with more tools of trade. We have a big shortage of tools like a car lifting machine, the cutting torch and if possible, facilitate for us the supply of electricity to this workshop somehow’’, he inserted.
Recognising the potential for growth and development in businesses like Ayanda's, the Automotive Industry Development Centre Eastern Cape (AIDC-EC) has established the Aftermarket Support Programme. This initiative aims to provide targeted support to small, medium, and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) in the automotive aftermarket sector.
Through this programme, AIDC-EC seeks to address the specific challenges faced by SMMEs like Ayanda's, including limited access to markets, inadequate infrastructure, and scarce skills. By providing business development support, training, the programme aims to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of these businesses.
For Ayanda, this represents a vital lifeline. With the programme's support, he hopes to overcome the business challenges that have hindered his business's growth. He envisions a future where his workshop is equipped with the necessary tools and equipment, and where he can provide decent employment opportunities for the young people in his community.
This was the 5th analysis following the successful Automotive Aftermarket Franchise
Development & B2B Indaba that was hosted in East London in October.
AIDC-EC’s commitment to support SMMEs is unrelenting and seeks to establish a robust aftermarket service offering, including curating proposals to build Automotive Hubs that can accommodate multiple businesses operating, and enable the Eastern Cape Automotive Sector become Globally Competitive.
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