Young Entrepreneur Turns Mining Waste into Bricks
Artisans of Mzansi win provides commercial breakthrough entrepreneur was looking for
Martin Maupa (29) from Steelpoort in Limpopo hopes his win as a 2026 Artisan of Mzansi and prize money of R100 000 will facilitate the breakthrough he needs to commercialise his business.
Sole owner of Maupa Engineering and Growth Edge he won in the Innovation category for his ferro bricks, which are manufactured from mining waste. He dreams of his ferro bricks being available at commercial stores such as Build it, Cashbuild and Builders Warehouse.
“The recognition will accelerate my plans to have my bricks approved by the South African Bureau of Standards. This will be followed by the automation of manufacturing, which in turn will increase capacity, which ultimately will lead to greater responsiveness to retail demand,” Martin says.
He explains that mining in his hometown has created high economic value over decades but left mining waste behind. He saw that the communities living next to those mining towns struggle with the rising costs of basic building material.
It led to him asking the question: ‘What if the waste can be used to build in these communities?’
“The answer to this question was our business. We manufacture bricks from chrome mining waste and sell the processed mining waste as a substitute for conventional sand for preferred construction applications. We get the waste for free and pay for transport from the refinery/wash plant owners.”
“We are a youth-owned circular economy business that focuses on providing affordable housing solutions to low-income community members, stokvels and local hardware stores.”
They operate the small-scale brick yard in Gaphasha Village in Limpopo.
“We firmly believe that this innovation award will open doors for us and after winning, we got to be selected in the Fix Forward Cement Youth Entrepreneurship Program, which assist young entrepreneurs in the building construction and brick manufacturing industry with innovative ways on how they can reduce the cost of cement through using waste material, developing eco-friendly solutions and producing high durable and affordable building materials.”
Martin’s story is one of determination and ambition. His work not only contributes to sustainable building solutions but also demonstrates how young entrepreneurs can transform industries and create meaningful impact in their communities.
“I think one of the things that is very close to my heart is exposure. As you try to grow as an artisanal entrepreneur, you realise that you can have all the tools and the skills, but you need to be in the right ecosystem.
“I believe going to pitch your business and getting exposure through the Artisans of Mzansi competition is very good exposure and you tend to learn a lot of things. It’s not about winning; it’s about putting yourself out there to your potential partners as well as mentors, investors, and people that might be interested in what you’re doing as an artisan,” says Martin.
Artisans of Mzansi is an annual competition seeking to change the negative perceptions around the trades. It serves to find the best artisan entrepreneurs in the country so they can be showcased as relatable role models to attract more young people to the trades. Winners are announced as part of the South African National Artisan Awards.
