Lwazi Linda: A Taking Care of Business Success Story
Lwazi Linda, from uMlazi, found himself at a crossroads after completing his education. He had worked hard, finishing his studies in marketing and earning an advanced diploma, but when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, his hopes of continuing his career were shattered. His contract as a marketing assistant was not renewed, and he was left without a clear path forward.
“I was frustrated,” Lwazi recalls. “I started fixing cell phones at home and helping with electrical repairs in my community, but I wasn’t sure how to turn that into something bigger.”
Little did Lwazi know, this was just the beginning of his journey.
Discovering a new path: Joining TCB’s Repair Programme
In May 2022, Lwazi’s aunt introduced him to Taking Care of Business (TCB) and encouraged him to join their Repair Programme. Sceptical at first, Lwazi didn’t expect much more than learning a few extra skills. But what he found was so much more.
“My journey with TCB has been eye-opening,” Lwazi says. “I didn’t just learn how to fix appliances. I learned how to run a business. I learned bookkeeping, business management, and even had access to coaching and counselling.”
TCB’s Repair Programme provided Lwazi with the tools to repair donated e-waste, giving new life to discarded appliances while building his confidence to start his own small business.
Turning obstacles into opportunities
One of the biggest challenges for Lwazi was overcoming his initial fear of running a business. But with the support of TCB, he gained the courage to face the unknown.
“I used to be afraid to go out and sell,” Lwazi shares. “But now I have the confidence to not only fix appliances but also to take them to market. I’m no longer afraid of trying.”
Thanks to the skills he developed through TCB, Lwazi has created a stable income for himself and is now a proud business owner. He’s saved enough to provide for his family, fix up his home, and even invest in new ventures.
Making a difference for his family and the environment
Lwazi’s success is not just personal – it’s also a victory for his family and his community. By giving e-waste a second life, he is helping to keep electronic items out of landfills and making affordable goods available to underserved communities.
“My family can now rely on me when something is needed,” Lwazi says with pride. “I’ve fixed up our home, installed new doors and windows, and I even put a new roof on one of the outside buildings.”
But perhaps most importantly, Lwazi’s journey has taught him the value of responsibility. He’s not only taking care of his sister’s son but also setting an example for his community by becoming a self-reliant entrepreneur.
A message for aspiring entrepreneurs
As Lwazi looks to the future, he’s filled with hope and ambition. His goal is to expand his business and explore new ventures, like selling chickens alongside his appliance repair work. He knows that the lessons he learned through TCB will carry him forward.
“I’m my own boss now,” Lwazi says with a smile. “I get to decide my fate, and how I work determines my outcome. It’s incredibly rewarding.”
Lwazi’s advice for anyone thinking of starting their own business is simple: “Start. It doesn’t have to be big. Start small and scale up. Dream, gather information, plan—and just start.”
Lwazi’s story is a reminder that even in the face of uncertainty, we can find opportunity. With the right support and determination, we can create a better future for ourselves, our families, and our planet.
Building a better future, together
Lwazi’s journey is just one of many stories of transformation through TCB’s Repair Programme. By giving e-waste a second life, participants like Lwazi are not only improving their own lives but also contributing to a healthier, more sustainable world. Together, we are building a brighter future—one repair at a time.
Taking Care of Business (TCB) is a nonprofit social enterprise. We are empowering unemployed South Africans and their families to escape the cycle of poverty through small business opportunities, mostly within the circular economy.