Having a braai is one of the best ways to celebrate South Africa’s heritage and an entrepreneur, Given Ngwamba, capatlised on this when he faced the harsh realities of unemployment.
Ngwamba developed a sustainable method of producing biochar, which he produces by slow-burning, eco-friendly charcoal briquettes.
Marketed under the brand name “Ndzilo” which means “fire” in isiTsonga, the briquettes are available at major retailers such as Pick ‘n Pay and Spar.
Ngwamba’s company, TNK Greenhouse Technology, has thrived and he now employs 17 people.
What began as a “stop-gap income solution” in Ngwamba’s garage in Mpumalanga, has blossomed into a flourishing business, making significant strides in the eco-friendly charcoal industry.
Despite holding a diploma in sound engineering from the National Electronic Media Institute of South Africa, Ngwamba faced the harsh realities of unemployment for several years.
With limited job opportunities, the entrepreneur created his own business.
He developed a sustainable method to produce biochar which is a black carbon produced from biomass created by agricultural waste such as groundnuts, sugar cane, macadamia shells, coconut, mango leaves and banana tree waste.
In addition to selling biochar to agricultural clients for soil enhancement, he developed a sustainable method of producing charcoal briquettes from the biochar.
The “green briquettes” are eco-friendly and known for their slow burning properties, making them popular with retailers and South Africans who love to braai.
In addition, Ngwamba’s company, TNK Greenhouse Technology, is committed to environmental restoration. Converting organic waste into valuable products helps reduce the risks of fires and biodiversity degradation caused by abandoned biomass.
In 2023, TNK became part of Avo Vision’s Social Employment Fund (SEF) during phase two of the programme, a crucial turning point for the business.
At the time, the company was struggling with just three employees and limited resources.
With the SEF’s involvement and support, TNK expanded its workforce to 15 employees, which significantly increased production capacity from 200 bags of briquettes a month to between 300 and 500 bags.
The SEF programme also eased the financial burden by covering human resources costs, allowing the company to focus on growth and innovation.
Avo’s project co-ordinator, Mpho Munyai, said: “Ngwamba has been focussed on ensuring the company's growth, always seeking new buyers for the briquettes. However, the main challenge remains acquiring an automated briquette-making machine. This would significantly improve production efficiency, as the company currently relies on a manual process.”
The briquette’s brand, “Ndzilo”, which means “fire” in isiTsonga, has gained substantial traction and is available at major retailers such as Pick ‘n Pay and Spar.
To date, TNK has produced 17 629kg of briquettes and generated sales of R32 380 from the 10 793kg of briquettes sold.
Munyai emphasised the significance of training and creating jobs.
“This community-based programme helps participants acquire valuable new skills, build networks and develop entrepreneurial thinking. It prepares them for the workforce but also opens doors for entrepreneurship, ensuring long-term sustainability,” he said.
“Avo delivers this training in-person and through digital platforms like WhatsApp, Zoom and Microsoft Teams, reaching participants nationwide.“
To ensure the long-term sustainability of TNK and its employees, Ngwamba is diversifying his business. In addition to selling biochar to agricultural clients for soil enhancement and making briquettes for braaiing, he plans to venture into producing eco-friendly firelighters.
Ngwamba said: “Green businesses are challenging and require immense courage and resilience. But, don’t focus on the closed doors, open them and walk through. Follow your passions and dreams.”
BUSINESS REPORT