From Academic Setback to Carpenter and Business Owner: Jack Mothapo's Journey

In 2016, Jack Kadiaka Mothapo faced a difficult chapter in his life.

After failing his first year at TUT, he was academically excluded for two years. He found himself at home, unemployed and struggling to face what had happened.

But instead of allowing that setback to define his future, Jack started looking for people who were doing well without relying on formal education.

That search introduced him to carpentry.

Jack approached a carpenter and asked if he could volunteer so that he could learn the skill. That decision became the beginning of his journey in woodworking.

He eventually spent about seven years working with the carpenter, learning and developing his skills.

Taking Woodwork Seriously

By 2024, Jack realised just how far he had come.

He says this was when he started taking woodworking seriously because he recognised that he had become extremely good at the craft.

Today, his work covers a wide range of woodworking and related installations.

His services include:

• Floating TV stands in different designs
• Kitchen cabinets and different kitchen designs and plans
• Wall wardrobes
• Bathroom vanities
• Office partitions
• Installation and maintenance of wooden and aluminium garage doors
• Programming EasyLift motors for automatic garage doors
• Installation of stable doors, 813 doors, pivot doors and other types of doors
• Wooden flooring installation

Why He Started His Own Company

Jack's decision to start Mankweng Projects (Pty) Ltd was also shaped by an experience he had while working under another company.

He explains that the company had received a subcontract, but after the project was completed, the owner did not pay the workers as they had agreed.

That experience made Jack think differently about his future.

He decided that he wanted to build something of his own — a company where he could use his skills for his own benefit rather than working for someone who, in his experience, cared more about completing the job than the people doing the work.

Mankweng Projects (Pty) Ltd is now a registered company.

Building Through Good Work

Jack says his journey is going well because the customers he has worked for have been happy with his services.

He says he doesn't leave unfinished work and doesn't want to take advantage of customers' hard-earned money. He also offers free quotations.

At the same time, growing the business has not been without challenges.

His biggest challenge currently is finding business funding to grow the company.

More Than Just Building a Business

For Jack, the goal isn't only about growing his own company.

He wants to create jobs and help other people learn woodworking skills.

His thinking is that if a major opportunity comes his way one day, he wants to already have a team of skilled people who understand the work and know what needs to be done.

His vision for Mankweng Projects is to provide excellent services to his customers and to "create a better everyday life to as many people as possible."

He would also like to work with building and renovation contractors, as well as other projects related to households and woodwork.

His Advice to Young People

For anyone thinking about becoming a carpenter or learning woodworking, Jack has a straightforward message:

Master the skill first.

He believes people shouldn't rush into looking for customers before they properly understand the work.

As he explains, one mistake in something like a cutting list can waste someone else's money.

For Jack, carpentry isn't something you simply wake up one morning and decide to do. It is a skill that requires learning, practice and mastery.

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