Diki Hudson Wilkie

Background

Diki Hudson Wilkie, aged 26, from Chitungwiza, is a young entrepreneur and Young Africa alumnus from the class of 2017. After completing his O-levels at Allan Wilson School in Harare, he was unable to collect his results due to his family’s financial challenges. His parents separated when he was two, and his mother could not afford to pay the fees.

His journey

Diki enrolled in Panel Beating & Spray Painting at Young Africa’s Chitungwiza centre in 2016. After completing his centre-based training, he moved to South Africa for an attachment. There, he explored several job opportunities, including mining, but was unsuccessful. He decided to return to Zimbabwe as conditions in South Africa were difficult.

Back in Zimbabwe, he joined the Young Africa Panel Beating & Spray Painting Franchise as a casual employee. This experience motivated him to establish his own company, Strafix Panel Beaters & Spray Painting, offering panel beating and spray painting services. He also attended an entrepreneurship Boot Camp at Ochi City organised by Young Africa Zimbabwe (YAZ), which inspired him to start his own business. Driven by youthful enthusiasm, he quickly applied the skills and knowledge gained from franchise mentorship, coaching, and the Boot Camp.

He initially rented a shared premises at ISAFIL and later moved to his own rented location at Mabel Canvas, 150 Northway in Waterfalls, just off Seke Road behind Zuva Filling Station.

“I was always passionate about starting my own business but lacked the requisite knowledge and skills. But here I am today; YAZ gave me the opportunity to start and run a high-potential company, providing services to companies, businesses, and the community.”

The story of change

Wilkie now operates his business at 150 Northway in Waterfalls, off Seke Road behind Zuva Filling Station, using social media to market his services. His clients include employees of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, insurance companies, referrals, and walk-in customers. He repairs at least 8-10 vehicles each month, earning a net income of between $2,000 and $3,000 USD monthly from his panel beating and spray painting services for Harare and Chitungwiza residents.

He can afford monthly rent of approximately $1,500 and has acquired two cars.

In 2023, he employed at least seven YAZ students on attachment, and he recently hired a YAZ postgraduate full-time. He has been sharing his skills and knowledge with other Young Africa Zimbabwe panel beating and spray painting graduates; to date, he employs three YAZ postgraduates (one full-time and two part-time). Alongside these graduates, he has three additional employees and is looking forward to hiring an accountant.

Wilkie is now able to support his grandmother, pay school fees for his siblings, and take care of his own family.