DUTCSERI INCUBATE ON BUILDING DREAMS AND TRANSFORMING THE CONSTRUCTION LANDSCAPE
Meet Thuthukani Ntshangase, a proud product of Ulundi, eMahlabathini, in the North side of KwaZulu-Natal. He began his education at Gabangaye P.P. School in Ulundi A section and later attended Impumelelo High School in Mahlabathini. He is the entrepreneur behind ‘4 Brothers Worx,’ a business specializing in general building and construction solutions.
Thuthukani is currently incubated at the Durban University of Technology’s Centre for Social Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator (DUTCSERI). Passion, drive, and a thirst for learning, that’s the mantra fuelling the brilliance behind 4 Brothers Worx. The company is renowned for its two key divisions: turnkey home solutions and roof work specialization. His passion for home building was sparked by his family’s long-standing involvement in the industry, tracing back to his grandfather and father’s work in the 1940s and 1970s.
4 Brothers Worx proudly employs a core team of 4 permanent staff and regularly brings on 3 casual workers as needed. “Bringing the idea to life, I had to seek for more information through trainings which I did at Corobric Training Academy and doing Carpentry at Coastal TVET College in Hammarsdale, but before, I had already done some work with my brothers building homes in the Zululand side of KZN.”-said Thuthukani
Over the past year and a half, 4 Brothers Worx has completed 10 major projects, through word-of-mouth referrals. Thuthukani has recently become a certified roof erector, registered with the Institute for Timber Construction (ITC-SA).
He credits his success to key support systems, including a friend who offered his house in Bonela for the company’s first project and his mentor from Coastal College, Mr. Shannon Govender, a roof designer and fabricator at the college’s roof plant.
Thuthukani reflects on his entrepreneurial journey, highlighting that it’s been a tough road. However, with the support of the DUTCSERI Incubation programme, there’s now a hint of hope.
“We strive every day to improve for tomorrow. The lack of funds for tools and travel costs can be challenging for small businesses. However, thanks to our loyal customers who pay on time, we push hard to deliver excellent results and quality projects,” he shares.
“Coming across a Facebook post about the CSE program was transformative. It’s enabled me to improve business systems and taught me to separate my personal and professional lives”-He added.
Thuthukani says that he has big plans for his business. In the next five years, he aims to take on larger, more independent projects, steer the construction industry in a positive direction, and initiate unique ventures of his own. He also sees himself being an inspiration to young entrepreneurs and playing a role in helping them succeed.
- Nomvelo Mkhwanazi
- Pictured: Thuthukani Ntshangase
