BROTHERS ENTANGLED IN BOOMING CHARCOAL BUSINESS

ERIC MATOME KGOMO

Jozini: Three brothers, from the Khathi family are an inspiration of black township entrepreneurs who are chasing their own dreams of success. The business passionate Khathi brothers, Ntuthuko, Dumisani and Sibusiso, from Jozini in KwaZulu Natal, are the directors of Khathi Holdings, a company that produce and supply Khathi Charcoal brand in various places in the country.

Ntuthuko said the idea of establishing their own brand, Khathi Charcoal, started when they were on holidays in 2016.

“We saw the opportunity due to the demand in the business and steadily saved the money to start the company. That’s when Khathi Charcoal was born in January 2017,” he said.

Ntutukhuo is in charge of the business’ Sales, Manufacturing and Supply Chain and is Mechanical Engineering graduate from Mangosuthu University of Technology.

Armed with a Bachelor of Administration Degree from University of KwaZulu Natal and Transport & Logistics Diploma Operations and Human Resources, Dumisani is handling Operations and Human Resources of the company.

Sibusiso is in charge of Marketing and Finance and holding MBA from University of KwaZulu Natal, B-Tech in Marketing from Durban University of Technology, Sourcing & Supply Chain Management from University of South Africa.

Ntuthuko said 80% of their customers comes from the township shisanyama and chicken dust street vendors, which poses a huge opportunity for the Khathi Charcoal brand as a result of the fast pace on which the township economy is growing.

“10% of sales comes from the petroleum industry, the so called garages and the other 10% of clients comes from retail stores including tuck shops and others that operate in the cities, towns and townships,” Ntuthuko said.

Ntuthuko said they knew they had a talent for sale and passion for entrepreneurship, with a combination of hard work and dedication, which makes their business a success.

“We have been growing at a relatively acceptable pace for a small business such as ours, hence this year we decided to reinvest into the business. Our reinvestment is aimed at increasing production output and capacity to meet the steady growth in demand for the Khathi Charcoal brand,” he said.

Ntuthuko believes that what makes their business a success is the fact that their product is affordable and environment friendly.

“Our high quality premium brand of Khathi Charcoal carry features that are above and beyond our competitors’ and yet it remains affordable. We pride ourselves for hand-picked big size quality lumps that burn longer and produce less smoke,” explained Ntuthuko.

In terms of job creation with an aim to alleviate poverty, the business appointed 15 skilled and semi-skilled workers from the rural community in Jozini. Khathi Charcoal secured clients from Umlazi, KwaMashu, Clermont, KwaDabeka, Mayville and also in towns like Umzinto, Isipingo, Pietermaritzburg and Manguzi.

 

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