A young entrepreneur has carved out a niche for himself in the multi-billion rand alcoholic beverages industry by manufacturing innovative disposable ice buckets.

Phenyo Sebaeng has founded Sebaeng Solution Manufacturing Company to supply retailers with disposable ice buckets. Among Sebaeng’s biggest customers is Africa’s largest food retailer, the Shoprite Group.

The 28-year old businessman says the ice buckets have been well received by the market and are available at all Shoprite LiquorShop outlets countrywide. He says they are made from recyclable material with the added benefit that any logo can be printed on it.

He says the idea to come up with disposable ice buckets struck him five years ago when he realised that some alcohol consumers did not use cooler boxes to keep their drinks chilled.

“I noticed that your conventional cooler boxes were a bit expensive for the ordinary alcohol consumer. I also discovered that taverns and chesanyamas charged people a fee to use their ice buckets,” says Sebaeng.

He calls on young people to stand up and be prepared to fight to see their dreams realised.

“Get an education and look for opportunities. Once you have discovered your strength, your passion and what you are good at, then there’s no need to waste time. Your one day could very well be today,” he advises.