Mamelodi’s Tech Doctor Benny Ribisi

The best businesses are born when entrepreneurs identify a need for a service or product in their environment.

This kind of attitude often determines the trajectory of the business, especially when the owner constantly spots opportunity.

Benny Ribisi from Mamelodi is an entrepreneur who identified a need for IT services in his community.

SERVICES OFFERED

He explains PC Clinic SA’s services: “We specialise in different fields of IT but focused more on computer repairs and network installations. This includes laptop repair, screen replacement, network installation, telephone system, camera installation, data transfer and data recovery. We also do remote access work and assist clients online.”

Ribisi has identified an opportunity in other products around his business. He also sells

Istarted the business after realising that I’m actually having people knock at my door to get help with their laptops/ computers,” 29-year-old Ribisi tells Spot-On. But he admits it was a friend who advised that he register a business in 2016, which is known as PC Clinic SA. Ribisi is a trained IT technician. “I have a diploma in information technology and other IT certificates in computer hardware and software, including programming,” he says.

PC Clinic SA merchandise to his clients. “I do sell refurbished laptops and hard drives, routers and we also have some of our own brand merchandise (t-shirts, hats, beanies, hoodies, sweaters, tracksuit pants).”

The downfall of some businesses in the township is that they are run by talented or skilled individuals who undervalue education or some form of training, opting to wing it. It seems having formal training has also built trust with some of his clients, some of which are schools and people beyond Mamelodi.

“The biggest challenge is getting clients from the suburbs into Mamelodi. They don’t feel safe driving to Mamelodi, so I always have to drive to them instead,” Ribisi says.

He mostly works alone, at the moment, but ropes in assistants from time to time. “I have two technicians that work part time when we have installations,” he says.

CHALLENGES FACED

As a business that works around electronics, PC Clinic SA is more susceptible to Eskom’s load-shedding than most. “Load-shedding really affects us. Sometimes clients can’t get their laptops on time because the power cut can go for four to six hours and the network towers will be off. Then we also can’t do any online work,” says Ribisi. “Also, pricing is a challenge. I try to be affordable to assist those who can’t afford the services, especially the students,” he says. This is one of the biggest challenges for businesses in the township, because they can’t charge as they’d like since unemployment and other social ills are rife in townships, so a level of consciousness is required when pricing.

PC Clinic SA operates from Ribisi’s home and doesn’t have rent expenses. “Sometimes I drive to clients if there’s a house call and I also have a few schools that I help with ITrelated problems,” Ribisi says.

THE FUTURE

“I want to see PC Clinic SA become one of the biggest IT businesses in South Africa, which provides solutions for businesses and government institutions. The business must be reachable,” he says.

“I also want to have different stores that sell electronics and do repairs in suburbs and townships; I want a PC Clinic store that will sell different electronics. In a few years, I also want to see PC Clinic SA creating employment for the youth in townships.”

PC Clinic SA merchandise Benny with his bass

THE BASSIST

Ribisi is an avid bassist and plays the instrument in his spare time away from the business. “I am in a church band full time and also play as a session bassist, as well as in studio recordings and live performances.

“Growing up in Mamelodi has taught me so much and has developed a strong character in me. I think it was God’s plan because I have spent most of my years in church and that has kept me away from a lot of destructiveness and kept me grounded,” says the young man.

“One thing I love about this township is the talent that is here – from sports to art – and that has helped me to discover my talents at a young age.”

PC Clinic S.A

info@pcclinicsa.co.za