Nicolette Dirk
TEN years after he started his computer business from the boot of his car, Luvuyo Rani of Khayelitsha has won an award at the Junior Chamber International (JCI) in Germany
Rani is managing director of Silulo Ulutho Technologies.
His award in the economic and entrepreneurial category recognises the positive contribution people aged 18 to 40 made to their community.
Rani ventured into entrepreneurship while he was an accounting and business teacher at Kwamfundo High School in 2004.
It was the year when the government introduced Outcome Based Education (OBE) into the curriculum, which meant teachers had to use computers.
“Many of my colleagues never used a computer before and I sold them second-hand computers to help,” he said.
He quit his teaching job to sell computers full-time from the boot of his car with his brother Lonwabo.
The need for computer training in Khayelitsha became apparent when most of the computers he sold ended up as furniture in his customers’ homes.
Rani wanted to open an internet café at Khayelitsha Mall to teach basic computer skills, but being blacklisted did not help. In 2006, he convinced a cellphone shop owner at the mall to share his space and got 10 computers, which he paid off monthly.
In the first month, he made R350 profit and R12 000 debt. But what he lacked in funds, he made up for in businesses savvy.
A meeting with a local radio station secured him a free slot to advertise, in exchange for his company’s printing and IT services.
“That was our first break and we even got a second venue.
“It was a garage in Llitha Park, where about 360 people received computer training and went on to find employment,” said Rani.
He has since won the South African Breweries Kickstart Competition in 2008 and was runner-up of the Africa Small Medium and Micro Enterprises Awards in 2009.
Rani also represented South Africa at the USA Young Entrepreneurship Program in 2010.
Rani is founder and chairperson of the Ekasi Business Network that connects business owners and entrepreneurs from the Cape Flats.
He owns 18 internet shops in the Western Cape and 14 in the Eastern Cape.
Linda Ben, president of JCI South Africa, said Rani was selected for the sustainable contribution he made in his community.
“He saw the need for information systems technology in Khayelitsha and saw how many people were unemployed because they did not have computer skills.
“So many people have skills to empower the community, which they can do through entrepreneurship,” said Ben.