By Buziwe Nocuze
- Sibusiso Mfazwe’s charcoal business Mnga Wood Coal employs five people and faces rising costs for transport, oil, and petrol.
- He charges less than competitors but explains customers must accept increases because “if we don’t increase prices, we will be asking for favors soon.”
Sibusiso Mfazwe, a charcoal maker in Port St John’s, has been explaining to complaining customers why charcoal prices keep increasing.
“Those who are planning braais this festive season and other people have asked why the prices are increasing. It is because the things we use to make charcoal have also increased,” said Mfazwe.
When he started his business, Mnga Wood Coal, in 2017, he charged R35 for 3kg and R40 for 4kg of charcoal.
But the costs of running the business have risen sharply.
“Making charcoal is not easy. We spend a lot of money to hire cars to fetch wood in the bushes. We have to peel off the bark, put it inside a 500-litre drum, and set it on fire. We leave it for about four hours to cool,” said Mfazwe.
He now employs more than five people.
“Now I am paying R1,500 for a truck to transport wood from the bushes. When the petrol price goes up, the drivers we hire also increase their prices. We don’t have a choice but to also increase our prices,” said Mfazwe.
For the machines he uses, he pays more than R250 for oil and more than R320 for petrol.
“Our customers need to bear with us and accept the prices because if we don’t increase, it means we are going to ask for favors soon. The reason I started this business was to create job opportunities and be able to take care of my family. I am happy that I can do that,” said Mfazwe.
Despite the increases, Mfazwe says he charges less than his competitors.
“I explained to my customers that I charge less because other businesses are charging R60 for 4kg, R45 for 3kg, and R80 for 5kg. I charge less because I understand that they don’t have money,” said Mfazwe.
With the money he makes, he is able to buy groceries for his family.
“Some say we get the wood for free in the bushes and ask why we charge more. It is because we do a lot of work before they can get the charcoal, and it is not as easy as they think,” said Mfazwe.
Hlumisa Ngcaluza, a customer, says the explanation makes sense.
“Now that he explains it, it makes sense. There are people he needs to pay, including for the truck to collect wood. We will continue supporting him,” said Ngcaluza.
Pictured above: Sibusiso Mfazwe, a charcoal maker in Port St John’s, explains to customers that charcoal prices will continue increasing because production costs money.
Image Credit: Supplied
