Clive Masinga, 25, is running a thriving panel beating and vehicle spray painting business in Bulawayo. After completing his “O” levels at Sambakaruma high school in Gokwe in 2007, he moved to the city in the hope of finding employment in one of the industries.
Unknown to him, instead of employing anyone, those industries were now retrenching workers as a result of the economic meltdown.
“When I moved to Bulawayo, I was confident that I was going to get a job as a general worker. But alas things did not work according to my plans.
After failing to secure formal employment, I ended up working as a general hand for my cousin who ran a backyard panel beating company in the industrial area,” said Masinga.
After understudying and working for his cousin for almost two years, he started his own panel beating and spray painting company in 2009. He called it C-Motors and began specialising in panel beating and spraying wrecked cars.
Masinga did not hide his disappointment over what he described as partisan and unfair distribution of the government-funded Kurera / Ukondla Youth Fund.
“I was one of the first people to apply for that fund in Bulawayo.
Considering that I am already in business I was expecting my proposal to sail through but that did not happen. I know a lot of youths who benefitted from this facility but their proposed businesses never took off the ground. Some simply diverted the funds to other issues completely detached from the purpose of the fund,” he said. Masinga said if he had been given the opportunity to access the loans he would have done wonders and been able to provide employment for others.
CABS managing director, Kevin Terry last year told Parliament that about 78 percent of the fund’s beneficiaries did not pay back their loans.
Under the project, the government availed $10 million to youths to start various income-generating projects.
“I started this company from my own savings. I am grateful to my cousin for teaching me how to run a business. I have managed to buy my own equipment – including two compressors and spray guns,” said the soft- spoken youthful entrepreneur.
Most of Masinga’s clients are ex-Japanese car owners and non-governmental organisations. He has managed to employ two permanent workers, bought a residential stand and acquired the dream of every young man – his own car.
He is now married and has one child. He attributed his success to commitment, focus and financial discipline. “Business is not all about a lavish lifestyle, beer or women.
Business needs a serious and focused person who is not worried about instant results,” he said.
Masinga plans to extend his business by introducing other services such as tyre mending and car washing.
Post published in: News