CAN DO! Has a good story to tell!

CAN DO, a product of Nampak Bevcan has been behind the growing enterprises of two Soweto businesses.

Tebogo Phiri, Owner of Disoufeng Pub (Dobsonville)Phiri’s entrepreneurial spirit shone though at a very young age as he did odd jobs, selling popcorn in high school and assisting a vegetable vendor in exchange for leftover vegetables, all in order to help his single-parent mother.

Five years ago, at a pivotal point in a very promising career, this family
man made a life-changing decision.

“I had just been promoted from Sales Executive to Branch Manager at Volkswagen, but still felt I was not reaching my full potential. I decided to quit my job and pursue my dream of owning a successful pub,” shares Phiri.

Disoufeng simply refers to sofa/couch.

Despite the challenges, his passion meant that he was already making a success of his business when CAN DO! came on board and allowed him to take his business to the next level. “Over the past two and a half years, I have received sponsorships from CAN DO!, my revenue has increased, and I have gained publicity and recognition, even from big brands such as SAB Miller,” says Phiri. He is extremely grateful for the support from CAN DO!, and his next goals is to work towards owning his own premises.

Alexandra Bouwer, marketing manager of Nampak Bevcan’s CAN DO! Brand, says without our hard working partners in and around the communities, CAN DO! would not be what it is right now,” she shares.

“When we see the changes in the communities we are involved in, it motivates the organisation to keep going as it shines a positive light on CAN DO!”, adds Bouwer.

Talk of motivation, another thriving business is of Solomon Leshabane, who runs Tsalanang Pub.

He was inspired by his Mom, to establish this kind of business as opportunities were still there.

Leshabane worked as a waiter in his mother’s shebeen while he was growing up in Limpopo.

He believes this experience gave him all the foundations he needed to become a successful entrepreneur.

In April 2006 Tsalanang Pub officially opened in Braamficher, Soweto.