After working at a candle factory in Johannesburg, Makatu Tshivhula saw more than just wax and wick, he saw a business opportunity.
At just 26-years-old, R2000 and a skill he learnt at work, Tshivhula started his fully-fledged candle manufacturing brand.
Today, The Light Candles supplies its vibrant and long-lasting candles to selected Spar stores across Gauteng, and his journey is only getting brighter.
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Tshivhula shared with Vutivi News how working at a candle manufacturing factory sparked the idea that would later light the way to his entrepreneurial path.
“The company I worked for only produced five colours and sold mostly to spaza shops. But in African spirituality, colours carry meaning and people needed more than just basic candles,” he said.
Realising the untapped demand for culture and symbolism, Tshivhula founded his company in 2021. It now offers over 30 candle colours, including rare and spiritually significant shades like gold, which are used to manifest prosperity and success.
“We’re the only candle company in the country that offers such a wide range, and our candles burn 33% longer than most up to 12 hours,” he proudly explained.
Starting the business was no small feat.
Tshivhula launched it with only R2000 during the height of Covid-19 while struggling to afford equipment and navigate lockdown restrictions.
Eventually, he secured a loan from a private investor, which he repaid over three years, allowing him to purchase his own manufacturing machine and scale up production.
“We can now produce up to 2000 candles a day on a single eight-hour shift. But we’re still working on growing market access so we can operate at full capacity,” he said.
Based in Soweto, the business currently employs two people, with plans to expand to a four-member team by July.
Tshivhula oversees quality control for now, but is implementing systems to delegate the responsibility as the business grows.
Breaking into the retail market was both challenging and rewarding.
“With Spar, each store is a franchise, so I had to pitch the candles one by one to individual store managers. It was tough, but it taught me the value of persistence,” Tshivhula said.
“Now I am in talks with bigger national chains, and I believe it’s just a matter of time.”
While the business is already profitable, Tshivhula says entrepreneurship is a journey of continuous growth.
“At one point, making R10,000 felt like success until I doubled and tripled it. The more I grow, the more I see the potential,” he said.
For marketing, he currently relies on word of mouth, in-store presence and social media, but expansion is underway. Tshivhula plans to list The Light Candles on Takealot and Amazon in the coming weeks to widen his reach.
As for the name of the business? Tshivhula wanted something self-explanatory.
“The Light Candles tells you exactly what we offer. It’s simple, it’s clear and people remember it,” he said.
