Kamohelo Masoana and Atang Ntai burn wood in a big metal drum. Photos: Tsoanelo Sefoloko
Tsoanelo Sefoloko reports that eight young people from Nkasele village in the Eastern Cape are earning a living by producing and selling charcoal from invasive trees. Morumotsho Charcoal was started eight years ago by Atang Ramabele after he failed to find work in Johannesburg. He invited friends to join him in setting up the business. ▶️read the post first published on GroundUp here
The group works Monday to Friday, cutting down silver wattle and black wattle trees and burning the wood in 350-litre barrels. They produce about 400 bags of charcoal monthly, selling them door-to-door and to supermarkets in Matatiele.
For the past ten months, they have received a monthly stipend of R1,800 each from business start-up company Avocado Vision. Project coordinator Mpho Monyai explained, “The idea behind the stipend is to assist small businesses to pay the employees for ten months so that the business can be sustainable.” The contract was extended until the end of June.
The group aims to find additional support to expand their business. They currently have one chainsaw and believe they could increase production with more equipment.
Nthabeleng Olifant, the only woman in the team, joined last year. “I am doing almost everything that the male colleagues are doing beside the chainsaw, which I am unable to operate, and carrying the barrels because they are too heavy. I am now taking care of my two children,” she said.
Potlako Lepheana and Kamohelo Masoana expressed their gratitude to Ramabele. Lepheana said, “I couldn’t say no, because should I say no, who will give me money at month end?” Masoana supports his family of six with his earnings.
Thabiso Letula, advisor to Chief Nkasele Lepheana, mentioned that the trees are on the chief’s land, and the team has permission to use the wood. “We are always encouraging young people to open job opportunities, especially here in the rural areas,” Letula said, also urging youth to consider farming.
