09 Apr 2025

A Trade Test -B in carpentry and joinery from Zwenshambe Brigade was all that Mr Temogo Meshack needed  to start an upholstery business he named  Anie Jay Holdings.

Mr Meshack aged 30, is one of the fortunate youth who were funded by the then Ministry of Youth, Empowerment, Sport and Culture  Development, under Youth Development Fund in 2022 to the tune of P100 000, and that was enough to set his dream in motion.

  His area of speciality includes bed sleigh frames, headboards, kists, ottoman, pedestals, canvas bag products, car interiors, sofas, tents and assortments of canvas products designed to the taste of customers using locally sourced materials.

However, he said as per customer’s specifications, he uses different types of material that included velvet suede and jack mix to cover sofas.  

Mr Meshack said the establishment of Anie Jay Holding was  also inspired by the fact that his uncle had all the qualification in the field  but failed to put them into practice.

“He worked for a certain establishment where his remuneration was lower and was not able to improve his life. This touched me and could not watch my uncles’s talent go to waste,” he said.

Mr Meshack said after gaining experience from attachment where his uncle worked he decided to open his own business albeit under his coach  

In marketing his products, he targets walk-in customers, do repairs at government institutions, North East District Council and private individuals.

“I market my services and products through social media, house callings, display at the mall for easy access by potential customers,” he said.

Mr Meshack also stated that he moved from office to office and door to door promoting his products and services.

Currently his business has employed two people, an elder and youth. Upholstery is an art form of transforming furniture into something beautiful, enduring and eternal. It also involves covering furniture frames with padding, fabric or leather and manufacturing of canvas bags and tents while joinery encompasses the woodworking techniques used to construct and join wooden or other materials, forming the structural basis of furniture and other items.

An upholsterer covers furniture frames with padding and fabric or leather to make beds, mattresses, chairs, sofas and car seats. ENDS