en
South Africa
Khanyile Solutions is a WEConnect International certified women’s business enterprise that specializes in the manufacturing and branding of work wear. At the helm of this company are business partners Belukazi Nkala and Thabisile Mkhwanazi, who bring a strong combination of skills, experience and a commitment for managing and growing Khanyile Solutions locally and beyond South Africa.
Belukazi was born in the Eastern Cape, attended school in Zimbabwe and returned to Johannesburg where she worked as an analyst in Information Technology (IT) for 12 years. Thabisile was born in Johannesburg and went to school in Kwa Zulu Natal but later returned to Johannesburg, as well, where she worked as a procurement officer for more than 14 years. In 2009, they began their company by supplying Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). However as they interacted with clients, they received varied requests for more tailor-made services. This is when they decided to become manufacturers, and Khanyile Solutions was born.
When Khanyile Solutions secured their certification with WEConnect International in South Africa in 2016, Belukazi says, “Through its regular communication and the events that it organizes, WEConnect International in South Africa has helped us to see that there are a lot of possibilities … in South Africa, [regionally] and globally. We know that the connections that they have exposed us to are valuable, and it’s great to be part of these conversations with corporates. At Khanyile Solutions, we need to determine how best to work with these connections so we [continue to] sustainably grow our business.”
Building Khanyile Solutions to its current height has not been an easy journey. In fact, Belukazi and Thabisile recall times when they had to recycle waste materials in order to keep their business finances afloat. Though they founded their company in 2009, they only broke even and could hire one more person in 2014. The last years have been quite successful with business growth and excellence in operations as top priorities for the company.
Belukazi and Thabisile share a common vision for Khanyile Solutions.
“Our vision as a business is to be the number one work wear branding house in Africa,” Thabisile says. “We want to be the ‘go-to place’ for people who need branding and manufacturing of clothing under one roof. We are passionate and want to help give life to the customer’s brand.”
Khanyile Solutions has contracts with a broad range of companies, which has helped to increase its revenue.
Thabisile says, “We’re looking good and hope to [continue to] turn leads into contracts in the future with the corporate members of WEConnect International in South Africa. COVID 19 has led us into manufacturing masks for clients.”
The company is based in Johannesburg and operates in the Selby area of the city. They plan to expand manufacturing services beyond Gauteng to other provinces, which will allow the pair to run the business beyond their operational premises.
Says Thabisile: “We are a team of women in the operations, in the office and in management. [We’ve added] a new team member – a young man – responsible for sales. I believe that we work very well as a team. As a small team, it is easier to manage [quality control and any] issues [and changes] as they arise and as Christians, we draw from the same source to keep us together as a business.”
For more information on products and services from Khanyile Solutions, please visit | www.khanyilesolutions.com