The Rise of Mthembu Tissue Converting and the Entrepreneurial Lessons Within
The Rise of Mthembu Tissue Converting and the Entrepreneurial Lessons Within. When Thembinkosi General Mthembu launched Mthembu Tissue Converting in 2005, he did more than buy a manufacturing plant, he reshaped the narrative of black industrial entrepreneurship in South Africa. A former Nampak packer turned operations manager, Mthembu seized opportunity when Nampak’s Durban plant closed. With grit and vision, he transformed that closure into the country’s first 100 percent black‑owned tissue manufacturing company.
Rooted in Industry and Resilience
Mthembu spent 24 years at Nampak Tissue, rising from packer to production manager. In 2005, when Nampak shut its Durban plant, rather than face unemployment, he purchased the machinery and reclaimed control of his destiny. From day one, he focused on survival and turned adversity into opportunity.
Lesson 1: Transform setbacks into launchpads. When you solve problems born of crisis, you lead with purpose and that resilience becomes your brand’s backbone.
Scaling and Investing in Growth
The inherited machinery faltered frequently, threatening production. Mthembu pursued support from the Department of Trade and Industry’s Black Industrialists Scheme and the IDC, securing over R47 million in grants and loans. That strategic investment enabled plant modernization in 2007–2008, replacing 85 percent of old equipment and tripling capacity by 2018.
Lesson 2: Align growth with funding that matches your mission. When grants and loans sync with your goals, you turn ambitions into scalable outcomes.
Building Accreditation and Credibility
Mthembu Tissue earned ISO 14000 environmental certification in 2014, later upgrading to 27000. These certifications were more than badges, they were assurance for major clients like Game and Twinsaver, and vital qualifications to compete nationally and internationally.
Lesson 3: Invest in credentials that build trust. Official certifications open doors to bigger contracts and deepen client confidence.
Product Innovation and Brand Expansion
In 2018, the company launched its own retail brand, Cloud Nine, entering supermarket shelves and expanding from business and industrial bulk into consumer markets. Cloud Nine soon reached national distribution in major chains, signaling the company’s evolution from contract manufacturer to branded competitor.
Lesson 4: Pivot from service to product. When you know your manufacturing strengths, launching your own brand turns supply into opportunity.
Strategic Systems and Digital Tools
By 2024 Mthembu Tissue was processing 1,500 tons of pulp monthly and generating almost R1 billion in annual turnover. They implemented SYSPRO ERP software to optimize inventory, production scheduling, and supply chain control. This digital backbone helped prevent waste and ensure timely deliveries nationwide.
Lesson 5: Use tech to scale reliability. When ERP systems drive efficiency, your promise becomes your offering.
Purpose Beyond Production
Under Mthembu’s leadership, staff grew from 37 to over 100, with formal departments in HR, finance, quality control and maintenance. He also doubled down on opening branches in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Port Elizabeth, positioning for export-readiness.
As the first black tissue manufacturer, Mthembu’s story resonates far beyond profit; it reflects transformation and industrial empowerment.
Lesson 6: Scale with structure and heart. A business built for impact benefits communities and outlasts just profit-making ventures.
Turning Milestones into Momentum
| Milestone | Impact |
|---|---|
| 2005 – Acquisition of Nampak plant | From retrenchment to renewal |
| 2007–2008 – Machinery upgrade | Capacity1st from grants and IDC loans |
| 2014 – ISO 14000 certification | Built professionalism and trust |
| 2018 – Launch of Cloud Nine brand | Entered consumer market |
| 2024 – ERP implementation & national footprint | Cemented operational strength |
Actionable Advice for Entrepreneurs
- Own your niche & your story. Mthembu transformed a layoff into legacy.
- Seek aligned funding. Grants and loans are springboards, not constraints.
- Professionalize through certification. Standards matter in B2B and retail.
- Brand your output. Move from manufacturing for others to selling your own.
- Digitize for clarity. ERP systems are foundational, not optional.
- Scale with systems and social purpose. Build to last, not just to earn.
Final Word
The story of Mthembu Tissue Converting is more than entrepreneurial lore, it is a roadmap for transformation through resilience, intentional financing, digital mastery, and production-savvy. Thembinkosi Mthembu’s journey from packer to pioneer shows aspiring entrepreneurs how to lead industries and impact communities. His journey teaches a timeless lesson: disruption begins with belief, scales with strategy, and endures with systems.
