By: Mhleli Mkhize

In this very busy time of the year where people decorate their homes with colorful patterns and are buying new clothes, 20-year-old Mhlengi Khambule from KwaMaphumulo looks to
make money from painting Christmas trees.

From a very poor background is a young man who has started making his name out by planting and selling Christmas trees.

According to Khambule, he has already sold over 80 trees since last month.

He said that he has three different packages depending on the size of the tree.

“Some people prefer having their trees with a snow theme (white trees) and so I simply spray paint the tree,” he said.

Khambule looks to work hand-in-hand with major shop retails by trading with them in this business that he has started for the festive season.

Khambule’s mother, Gloria Makhubu, said that she feels blessed to have him as a son. “I have always seen him as a business minded person and it was only a matter of time till he
realized what he is good at,” she said.

Khambule said that the country is currently experiencing serious drought issues which has made him create his own bucket system, where he uses small amounts of water.

He explained that the pine growing business will be an ongoing business and he is looking forward into developing other business.