To be an active participant in the economic development of KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa is what drove Vuyane Ngidi, 32, to establish his company in 2012.

Softex Feathers, based in Westmead, Pinetown, manufactures bulk toilet paper and distributes it to various retail outlets, including selected retail Spars and small wholesalers around KZN.

"The intention to start this business was to participate in the economic opportunities presented by the new dispensation and also to prove that young people can do it [if] given the opportunity," Ngidi said.

For Ngidi, establishing a business was not solely about him as a founder, but about striving to uplift others through its success. His business has created many job opportunities.

"We manufacture our product from start to finish and we only use SABS approved material to ensure consistency and quality. We have a staff complement of 20 employees working in our various departments.

"We chose this business because we wanted something that has a continuous demand, appeals to everyone and does not have racial or gender limitations," said Ngidi, who also dreams about expanding his business into other provinces.

Ngidi said his biggest challenge was to get start-up capital. He was forced to use his own savings from his previous business to get the business on its feet.

He previously owned a dental laboratory as he is a qualified dental technologist from the Durban University of Technology.