Three friends, one vision: building a brand with purpose
“We’re just a group of dreamers armed with coffee, recycled materials, and a refusal to settle for boring furniture,” says the bio of Konto Khalo, a business founded by three childhood friends in their early 20s who are leading a movement to turn waste into art.
Likhona Mkonto, Mangaliso Rankwana, and Kgosietsile Leburu, are transforming discarded materials into high-end, sustainable furniture - proving that beauty can be found in the most unexpected places.
At just 24, Mkonto is the driving force behind the vision.
The idea came about when Mkonto’s family home was being renovated.
“We had no idea what to do with the rubble, and there was no way we were dumping it somewhere,” Mkonto says. “I thought to myself, I have to do something with this waste.”
Drawing on his civil engineering studies, Mkonto created a door stopper from the rubble, and the rest is history.
As he delved deeper into the concept, he realised the potential of using repurposed construction waste for modern and unique furniture.
However, this was never a solo mission.
Mkonto openly credits his friends for their unwavering support from the very start.
“From the start, I knew I couldn’t do this alone. I needed people who shared my values, passion, and vision… people I could trust to help make this project a success.
“The best part is, I didn’t have to ask, they offered to join because they believed in the project and saw how their skills could contribute. That means the world to me.
“And that doesn’t mean we don’t have conflicts, we just know how to work around and through them together because we know each other.”
Chief design officer Leburu - who manages the creative side of the project including branding, marketing, communications as well as product design - ensures everything runs smoothly as they take their brand to the next level.
“I have a passion for arts, from writing to visual as well as a background in economics and management from my time studying at Rhodes University.
“Right now we’ve been focused on construction waste in our designs and products but down the line we really want to dive into other types of waste that we can incorporate into our business.”
Rankwana, who plays a key role in the advisory and strategy side of Konto Khalo - as well as overseeing the legalities as he is currently studying law - has been instrumental in keeping the business on the right track and aligned with its vision.
“I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit… over the course of my friendship with Likhona and Kgosi, we’ve shared numerous ideas, and it’s become clear that our career paths have aligned in such a way that it feels almost destined.
“My journey into environmental law, for example, directly complements the company’s mission and strategy.”
Though the trio originally worked together and went to school in Johannesburg, Mkonto has since returned to his hometown in the Eastern Cape, while his childhood friends, Rankwana and Leburu, continue to live in Johannesburg.
Despite the physical distance, the three have remained closely connected, working together to bring Konto Khalo to life.
To bring their eco-conscious vision to life, the group knew that every detail mattered, especially the materials used in production.
Mkonto said: “After we knew we wanted to repurpose construction waste, we did a lot of research on everything from the materials involved to the processes, from that research we discovered how standard cement would conflict with our eco values due to high Co2 emissions. That’s when we switched to more sustainable binders like pozzolanic cement, aligning our processes with circular economy principles.”
As Konto Khalo nears the final stages of its launch, the business is transitioning from research and testing to full-scale production.
Their website is live, and the trio is excited to introduce their first line of unique and sustainable furniture.
The collection features modern, minimalistic pieces, crafted from repurposed construction materials.
“Right now, we’re manufacturing these products by hand… sourcing materials from landfills and dump sites, sorting, crushing, packaging, and shipping them ourselves, all without machines.
“Since every product is made from waste, there’s no consistency in the materials. Demolition waste from a 100-year-old building isn’t the same as waste from a 50-year-old one. This means each product is unique and exclusive… you’ll likely be one of only 10 people owning the same piece from Konto Khalo.
“It is about the story behind each piece and the impact we’re making,” Mkonto explains. “We’re offering more than just furniture; we’re offering something meaningful that people can connect with.”
Securing funding has been one of the company’s biggest challenges. While international fellowships have provided support, local funding remains difficult to secure.
Nevertheless, they’ve made strides in marketing their products, using platforms like Instagram to share their story and engage with potential customers.
“Social media has been a key tool for us to connect with our audience and showcase the story behind our products. It allows us to highlight not just the final pieces, but the entire process, from sourcing waste to transforming it into products.
“This transparency has helped build trust and attract clients who value sustainability and craftsmanship. Plus, the feedback and engagement we get through social media helps us refine our products and better understand what resonates with our community,” said Mkonto.
Mkonto has been feeling some pressure, especially from his parents - whose surnames combined are actually the inspiration behind his business. He laughs, “They’re proud of the journey, but they’ve set a little deadline: by the end of the year, the business needs to show signs of success, or I might have to go ‘find a real job’!” It’s all in good fun, though, and only fuels Mkonto’s determination to make Konto Khalo a success.