What began as a ‘in the mean-time’ side job in Given Ngwamba’s garage in Mpumalanga, has evolved into a thriving business making waves in the eco-friendly charcoal industry across the country. For some years Given faced the harsh reality of unemployment despite holding a Diploma in Sound Engineering from the National Electronic Media Institute of South Africa. Faced with limited job prospects, he turned to innovation, developing environmentally friendly methods to produce charcoal and biochar from agricultural waste, including groundnuts, sugarcane, macadamia shells, coconut and waste from mango leaves and banana trees. This biochar is manufactured into green briquettes, which are popular amongst retailers for their long-burning characteristics.

TNK is committed to environmental restoration by beneficiating organic waste and reducing the likelihood of fire hazards and biodiversity degradation caused by abandoned biomass.

In 2023, Given’s company, TNK Greenhouse Technology, joined Avo’s Social Employment Fund (SEF) phase two, marking a turning point in the business’s journey as it had been struggling – with only three workers and scarce resources. SEF’s support enabled TNK Greenhouse Technology to expand its workforce to 15 employees, boosting production capacity from 200 to between 300 and 500 bags of briquettes per month. The SEF programme frees TNK of the responsibility of human resources costs as wages are paid through this employment stimulus programme.

Avo’s Project Coordinator, Mpho Munyai, laments that since Avo started working with TNK Greenhouse Technology, everything has been going accordingly in terms of compliance and reporting. “Given has consistently strived to ensure the company’s growth and is always seeking new buyers for their briquettes. However, his primary concern has been acquiring a briquette-making machine, which would significantly improve the business production, as they have been relying on a manual machine,” Mpho explained.

The company’s briquette brand, “Ndzilo,” which means “fire” in XiTsonga, has gained significant traction in the market, now available in major retailers such as Pick n Pay and Spar. To date, TNK Greenhouse Technology has produced 17,629 kilograms of briquettes and generated sales of R32,380 from 10,793 kilograms of briquettes sold.

As part of SEF phase three which kicked off in August 2024, TNK Greenhouse Technology now has 17 previously unemployed participants, allowing them to learn new skills and provide for their families. During this programme, participants also attend Avo’s ‘Boosting your Income’ training programme, which aims to empower them with entrepreneurship and financial literacy skills to expand on the stipend earned and ensure sustainability of income should SEF support cease.

Mpho says this training holds paramount importance for Avo in preparing participants for the workforce, broadening their perspectives on entrepreneurship and livelihood creation, and encouraging the development of their own businesses. “This community-based training provides participants with opportunities to acquire new skills, establish networks, cultivate entrepreneurial thinking, and gain invaluable firsthand job experience. It not only readies individuals for employment but also positions them to explore entrepreneurship or enhance their employability,” Mpho added.

‘Boost Your Income’ is one of the training modules offered by Avo Vision in person and through online platforms such as WhatsApp, Zoom and Microsoft Teams to reach individuals from every corner of the country. The participants are equipped with in-depth financial skills, offering them the opportunity to explore new business prospects and secure their financial future.

To secure the future of its employees after SEF’s involvement concludes, TNK Greenhouse Technology is diversifying its business. The company also sells biochar to agricultural clients, who use it for soil amendment and plans to expand into firelighters.

Gift’s advice to aspiring green entrepreneurs is that it (green businesses) is a hard venture that needs a lot of courage. “Do not always look at the closed door, open the door and go through it. Follow your passions and your dreams,” he said.

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Avo uses the SEF programme to support rural green micro-enterprises and early childhood development centres in 6 provinces across South Africa to save on human resources costs while receiving support to make responsible business decisions that support their sustainability. Since September 2023, Avo has managed to employ more than 2181 people through the SEF programme. Story & Images Supplied by Avo Vision