"There's time for everything". - Duzwa Swiss.

On image: Siyaduduzwa Dlamini, founder of Duzwa Swiss.

Siyaduduzwa Dlamini, a young entrepreneur, who is founder of Duzwaswiss a business under the DuzwaAfrica company. Born and raised in Kwa-Zulu Natal, Ulundi. Obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology at the DUT. Currently he resides in the city of Durban, where his company is based.

The business operation was initiated in the year of 2018. I had been selling other brands of watches when I discovered a visible gap in the market. There was a sentimental value that I felt needed to complement a gift or timepiece in order to give the buyer a unique experience. Therefore, I decided to design timepieces that would be unique; with an African touch, in my own style.

"When I began, the most challenging thing was the lack of funds. I started this business with money I had made as a part-time waiter while I was still persuing my degree. This posed several challenges because I would sometimes not have enough resources to keep my business running. I also struggled with developing an effective marketing strategy and finding the right people to help me promote my

products. Improving my marketing strategies by using social media platforms with passion and determination to grow my business kept me going".

How's the support and sales? "The community has been very supportive; the sales have been steadily increasing throughout the years although a visible decline has been experienced due to the Covid 19 international pandemic. The one thing that makes my timepieces different is that customers have the luxury to have their timepiece custom made. This can be done through adding their initials, a picture or writing a short message on the timepiece: to add that sentimental value. Over the years there are other products that I have added to supplement the timepieces such as bracelets, rings and sunglasses; creating a brand of bamboo products. In the next 5 years I plan on increasing my clientele through effective marketing, recruiting more enterprises to help distribute my timepieces in different parts of South Africa".

Are your products available in any retail store? "My brand is currently available at the Silver People Jewellery shop in Davenport square, Durban. I am still working towards creating partnerships with other stores. Different designs are available on stock at the Silver People and with me; when a specific design or one that is out of stock is required, customers place orders. Courier takes about 3 working days and the courier price is R100".

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