By Matṧeliso Phulane
Kabelo Mpooa has tapped into the sound mixing skills he honed while growing up, to design and make speaker boxes using shutter boards.
Mpooa makes speaker boxes for cars, home use and public events. So far, he has produced 20 speakers.
He designs sound boxes of different sizes such: single bass bin, double bass bin, top, double mid-range, and many others. He also designs according to client’s preferences.
His woodwork and design skills came in handy when he started making his own speakers in 2021. This save him a lot of money given the ever rising prices of these commodities.
“Applying the background knowledge I got from Abia High school, I noticed that I could make any speakers that I wanted, in different sizes and with sounds of my choice while copying from the ones I purchased,” he said
He further indicated that while making speakers, he noticed that many local DJs give up on their passion because sound equipment is priced out of their reach. So he provided an affordable and accessible alternative.
He posted his first creation on Facebook and got his first customer who wanted a double base bin with a sub-woofer. The rest, as the cliché goes, is history as demand for his creations has kept on growing. His clients include churches.
One of the challenges he has to contend with is the high prices of some of materials he uses because of their high quality.
Aged 25, Mpooa was born and bred in Qoaling Maseru. He is completing his studies at the National University of Lesotho where he is studying chemical technology.
He said he is still able to find a balance between his business at home and his school work, and he does not encounter that much of a problem; he can work well under pressure.
Besides that, he works with his younger brother who also assists him while he is busy with other stuff.
Mpooa said he would like to see his business grow to a level where he produced at least 10 speakers a week, which will be sold both locally and internationally.
His other dream is to employ as many Basotho as possible and contribute towards fighting the high unemployment rate in the country. He also plans to open an academy and transfer his knowledge to people who are interested to know about his work. This way they, too, will be able to open their own businesses.
Mpooa said a single bass bin costs M 1800, a double bass costs M2800; a top bin M1600. Prices vary according to design.
For more information, interested people can follow him on Facebook page at: Sim Six Speaker Design or contact him on both WhatsApp and call at: +266 51832997
