Shaping a greener future, one brick at a time

IN HOMELITE, Kimberley, a bold vision is taking shape, not inside a polished factory or sprawling industrial park, but through a small startup, powered by determination, a compact brick-making machine, and the drive to change lives.

- DANIE VAN DER LITH

Meet Zimkhitha Duze, the founder of Uuka Bricks, an eco-friendly brick manufacturing initiative still in its early stages but with the potential to transform not only construction but also communities across the Northern Cape and beyond.

Armed with a finance background and a heart for social impact, Duze is currently producing sustainable bricks using a small-scale machine, crafting each unit with care. Her goal? To grow Uuka Bricks into a fully-fledged manufacturing business that reduces plastic waste, creates jobs, and makes green building materials accessible and affordable.

Right now, her operation is humble but powerful. Each brick is produced using a combination of waste materials, with 30% plastic content, along with sand and cement. This formula reduces landfill waste and contributes to a cleaner environment while ensuring a durable and affordable product. The business currently offers three brick types at highly competitive prices: R3.50 for stock bricks, R6.50 for maxi bricks, and R7.50 for hollow bricks.

But to truly rise, Uuka Bricks needs support. Duze is actively seeking investors and partners to help her scale operations, expand production capacity, and amplify her social and environmental impact. With Kimberley as her launchpad and sustainability at her core, this is more than a business; it's a call to action.

THE ROOTS OF A VISION

"I'm Zimkhitha Duze, originally from Kimberley in the Northern Cape," she begins. With a background in Finance and a deep-seated passion for entrepreneurship and social impact, Duze's story is not just about bricks; it's about transformation.